The Show Must Go On: A Musical Theatre Podcast

Friday-Sunday 14-16 May, 12:00

Inspired by what we have missed in the last year, it is time to bring musical theatre back into our lives. The Show Must Go On is a once off podcast series, comprising of three episodes, centered around three different musical theatre discussions. This conversation series invites you to hear from some of the most successful, highly respected and admired industry professionals in the musical theatre world today. The series focuses on musical theatre in all its forms - its rise and importance in Cork, it’s history, the power of the amateur musical theatre scene and also the impact it has at an educational level. You are invited to listen and reflect on what theatre-lovers and makers have missed in the past year, as well as the exciting hopes for the future. Whether you are a lover of all things musical theatre, or you simply want to learn about the craft, this exciting podcast is right up your street! Relax in your at-home auditorium seat, and listen to the voices behind some of the most successful musicals in Ireland and beyond today.

Artists: Ciaran Bermingham, David Hayes, Deirdre Collins, Eibhlín Gleeson, Killian Donnelly, Linda Fitzgerald, Trevor Ryan

Producer: Tracy O Keeffe

The Artists

Ciaran Bermingham

Ciaran Bermingham is an Actor, Director and Writer – his work includes the following: Film Feature: ‘Float like a Butterfly’ Director Carmel Winters; ‘Dead Along the Way’ Director Maurice O’Connell; ‘The Young Offenders’ 2015 Director Peter Foott; ‘Patrick’s Day’Director Terry McMahon

TV Series:‘The Young Offenders Christmas Special Director Peter Foott; ‘The Young Offenders’(Quinn)Seasons 1,2 and 3 Director Peter Foott; ‘Fair City’(Director Various)‘Game of Thrones’ H.B.O. (Mord) Directors Dan Minahan and Brian Kirk‘Bittersweet’Director Declan Eames ‘Killnaskully’ (George the Postman) 2005-2008 Director Eugene O’Connor‘The Tudors’ (BishopRudding) Directors Various

Stage: Musical Theatre: ‘Hairspray’(Edna) Cork Opera House and Tour Director Joseph Walsh(2014); ‘The Full Monty’ (Dave Buckatinsky) National Tour Director Simon Delaney(2010); ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (King Herod) Cork Opera House Director Brian Flynn (2008)                                        

As a Director – Tick,Tick,Boom, Into the Woods, A New Brain, Tons of Money, Lend Me A Tenor

Concerts: Beyond the Barricade Royal Albert Hall, London

Photo: Miki Barlok

David Hayes

Deirdre Collins

Deirdre is the course coordinator of the new BA in Musical Theatre at MTU Cork School of Music, where she lectures in musical theatre history and vocal ensemble. This 4-year honours degree is currently halfway through its first delivery, training young Irish students in preparation for the professional MT industry. She also teaches piano and works as an accompanist on the classical music degree.  

Her freelance work covers the areas of production and musical direction. She has worked as line producer for Cork Opera House on concerts, festivals and musicals, and is the manager of the COH Concert Orchestra. As a chorus director and musical director she has numerous credits in the fields of opera and musical theatre. She is currently the chairperson of Cork Operatic Society. Deirdre graduated from MTU CSM with BMus and MA degrees in performance.

Photo: Michael MacSweeney/Provision

Eibhlín Gleeson

Eibhlín has been the chief executive of Cork Opera House since 2015. Prior to this appointment, Eibhlín worked as the Opera House’s general manager and has extensive experience as a senior arts administrator over the last 18 years. She was the CEO of Ireland’s flagship professional choir, Chamber Choir Ireland, and she developed and managed her own arts management company, EMG Arts Management, providing strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, and international touring services to arts organisations in Ireland. She held a prestigious position in the John F Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts in Washington DC, where she worked with international leaders in the field of arts management. She is also a musician, singer, and performer in her own right, having graduated from UCC’s Department of Music.

Photo: Anna Groniecka

Killian Donnelly

Linda Fitzgerald

Linda Fitzgerald is a trained musical theatre performer. After many years in stage schools as both a student and a teacher, she began her studies at Musical Theatre Ireland in Cork and continued on to The MTA in London. Here she learnt many additional skills including acting for television, presenting and voiceover work. 

After graduating in 2016, Linda was offered her first contract with Headliners Theatre Company as lead vocalist on board P&O Cruises and did 2 full contracts plus a cover contract for the company.

Linda has recently completed an Introduction to Radio Broadcasting course. She is currently studying Digital Journalism and Radio Broadcasting.

Photo: Nicholas Dawkes

Trevor Ryan

Trevor Ryan has been involved in the performing arts for the past 40 years as an actor, director, writer and teacher and has been associated with over 100 productions on a local, national and international level. 

He is also a partner in the Montfort College of Performing Arts founded 60 years ago by Eileen Nolan where he teaches speech and drama.  

Trevor is director and co-writer of the Cork Opera annual panto, a position he has held for the past 7 years. His love of panto goes back to his youth and he has been involved in over 20 pantomimes at Cork Opera House. 

Trevor holds diplomas in teaching, acting and speech with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and a fellowship with the London College of Music. 

Photo: Miki Barlok

Tech team: Ronan O'Shea

Thank you to:

Joe Sheehan - Composition of Jingle for podcast