Production History

With demo tracks and charts complete, San Diego musicians gather to play through the music of 'In the Midst of Plenty' live for the first time, as writer/composer-lyricist Amy Day works on instrumental arrangements ahead of the show's first performances in Ireland.

The Roscommon County Council awarded a performance grant to Strokestown-based Enchanted Croi Theatre to bring 'In the Midst of Plenty' to the stage for the first time. The National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park -- home to the Strokestown Famine archive and to Enchanted Croi Theatre -- hosted the production for its first month of rehearsals and first performances.

Under the artistic direction of Enchanted Croi Theatre founder and director Anne-Marie O'Sullivan, 'In the Midst of Plenty' was brought to the stage for the first time. Anne-Marie brought careful attention to the artistic detail of the show, drawing from the richness of the Strokestown archive to ensure that this pivotal and harrowing chapter of Irish history was understood, seen, and respected.

Resident on the grounds of Strokestown Park, the cast of 'In the Midst of Plenty' was able to develop the show and originate their roles surrounded by the real-life history the show depicts. In this scene, actors rehearse 'Your Mercy,' a song written from an original Famine-era text. 

The show opened to a sold-out three-night run at the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park. Following these performances and the overwhelming audience reception they received, the Roscommon County Council awarded Enchanted Croi Theatre a second round of funding, this time to bring 'In the Midst of Plenty' to the regional theatre, the Roscommon Arts Centre, for two more nights. 

In preparation for the show's next run at the Roscommon Arts Centre, the cast and crew gathered in September for more rehearsal and work through edits to the show made after the Strokestown run.  Rehearsals were once again held at the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, in their acoustically marvelous Vaulted Stables space.

'In the Midst of Plenty' went on to another run of two sold-out performances at the 200-seat Roscommon Arts Centre in September 2022. Following these performances, the demand to tour the show across Ireland became clear! 

Momentum for our 2023 tour built quickly, and the show received incredible support from a variety of donors: the Roscommon County Council, Tipperary County Council, National Famine Way, Irish Heritage Trust, National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, and the Ireland Funds.

Given the subject matter of 'In the Midst of Plenty' and the show's connection to Famine historians and scholars, the production had numerous opportunities to become more deeply involved in Famine remembrance. In May, cast members Eoghan Burke and Martin Gilligan joined director Anne-Marie O'Sullivan and writer Amy Day at Ireland's Famine Remembrance ceremony with Irish president Michael D. Higgins.

Enthusiasm for the show was palpable with early strong ticket sales and an overwhelming audience reaction to the show's opening at the Mullingar Arts Centre in May 2023. 

The show toured twice to the Townhall Cavan Theatre in the summer of 2023. This beautiful, historic space held wonderful audiences, including for the final night of the tour at the end of the summer, with a sold-out crowd. 

The view from the beautiful stage looking out over the sold-out audience of 200 at the Backstage Theatre, Longford, the show's third tour stop and fourth night of performance. 

The show performed two nights with huge crowds at the beautiful and historic Town Hall Theatre, Galway. 

We found ourselves in the front window of the beautiful Townhall Theatre in gorgeous Westport, Ireland, in County Mayo, ahead of our two lovely shows there. 

The show had a June appearance at the Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo.

As the show made its way northward for a swing of shows in Ballybofey and Ballyshannon, County Donegal, the cast and crew took in the breathtaking scenery of Sliabh League and its surroundings. 

As the show made its way to Northern Ireland for a performance to a huge crowd at the Waterside Theatre, Derry, the cast and crew enjoyed the sights of the beautiful city. Here's Julie Sharkey at the historic Walls, near the famed Derry Girls mural. 

The show returned to the Roscommon Arts Centre in June, performing two more sold-out nights. This tour stop also included a community talkback facilitated by National Famine Way director Caroilin Callery, during which attendees of the National Famine Summer School, scholars and dignitaries, and community members discussed the show with cast and crew. 

The gorgeous facility at VISUAL Carlow before our lovely audience arrived. 

Cast and crew perform a sound check before the July show at the Excel Theatre in Tipperary. 

The summer tour culminated in a sold-out show at the 500-seat O'Reilly Theatre in Dublin. The night was absolutely incredible, especially with the addition of Ger O'Donnell on bass. 

The show completed its summer tour with more than 3400 tickets sold across 14 venues!