Showtime

Behind the Scenes at Spraoi on Showtime
Spraoi returns to Waterford this week with another packed programme. We looked behind the scenes of Ireland's biggest free street arts festival.
We chat with Spraoi programmer Deirdre Dwyer. She explains why street theatre feels so different. Performers must win the audience every minute. There are no curtains. There are no barriers. Every performance happens right beside the crowd.
Deirdre shares some of her top festival picks. She highlights MDR – Death From Laughter by Catalonian company Los Galindos. The award-winning clown show opens on Thursday night. Numbers stay limited, so arrive early.
The conversation also celebrates Waterford's own creative talent. Curious State returns with Morbid & Sons: Bone Idle. David Duffy and Ksenia Parkhatskaya bring back The Most Dangerous Animal in the World.
We also hear about exciting new work from Natasha Everett and Martina Acostarama. Their latest street theatre piece makes its first public appearance during the festival.
The interview explores Spraoi's community spirit. Every event remains free. However, the festival still needs support. This year brings a new fundraising idea. Limited-edition Spraoi T-shirts will help cover artists' travel costs.
Later, we catch up with Artistic Director Mike Leahy. He reveals the inspiration behind this year's parade, Howl. Wolves, folklore and fairy tales shape this colourful spectacle. Around 300 performers will fill Waterford's streets with music, comedy and giant creations.
Mike also explains the huge teamwork behind every parade. Artists, musicians, costume makers and volunteers spend weeks preparing the event. The audience only sees the finished magic.
Spraoi transforms Waterford every summer. It brings colour, creativity and unforgettable moments to every street.
In this episode:
Why street theatre creates unique audience connections.
Deirdre Dwyer's festival highlights.
New Waterford productions to watch.
Behind the scenes of the spectacular Howl parade.
How the community helps keep Spraoi free for everyone.
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Wayne Power brings another original Waterford story to the stage with Kicking and Screaming. The new comedy arrives at Theatre Royal on 7 August for one night only. During my visit to rehearsals, the writer, director and cast shared what audiences can expect from this funny and heartfelt production.
At its heart, Kicking and Screaming follows best friends Stevie and Dylan. The pair feel stuck in Waterford and dream about something bigger. They wonder if life lies elsewhere or if home still offers everything they need. Their story explores friendship, family, ambition and the difficult decision many young Irish people face when considering emigration.
Director Sinéad Hourigan believes local audiences will immediately recognise the world Wayne Power has created. Waterford streets, businesses and familiar landmarks shape the story. Those local references create laughs while grounding the characters in a place everyone knows.
The cast also praised the script for its natural dialogue and relatable characters. They described a rehearsal room full of laughter and genuine friendship. That chemistry shines through every scene.
What audiences can expect:
A fast-paced comedy with plenty of Waterford humour.
Familiar local references that audiences will instantly recognise.
Honest characters facing real-life challenges.
A story about friendship, belonging and finding your place.
Emotional moments balanced with big laughs throughout.
An original play written by one of Waterford's emerging theatrical voices.
Wayne Power hopes audiences leave entertained while recognising parts of themselves in the story. Although the play tackles serious themes, humour always leads the way. The result promises an evening filled with laughter, warmth and genuine heart.
Kicking and Screaming plays for one night only on 7 August at Theatre Royal. With strong early ticket sales already reported, theatre lovers should book soon. If you enjoy original Irish theatre and want to support Waterford's thriving arts scene, this is a performance worth catching.
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The Stage Coach is bringing Alice in Wonderland to Barron Hall in Stradbally, County Waterford this week. It promises a bright, imaginative, and family-friendly production from one of the area’s best-loved stage schools.
Martine Rogers, the school’s owner and main tutor, leads the team. She joined me on last week’s Showtime to tell me all about the production, and it was lovely to hear how much care and creativity has gone into it.
Audiences can expect familiar characters, lively performances, and plenty of colour on stage. The show gives young local performers a chance to shine in a welcoming community setting.
Barron Hall continues to be a great home for The Stage Coach. It supports local arts and helps keep theatre vibrant in Stradbally.
The Stage Coach has built a strong reputation for quality youth productions in County Waterford. This latest show looks set to continue that tradition in style.
Tickets can be booked by calling Martine on 087 9609614.
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The Quay Players are back on stage at Garter Lane Theatre with Moonshine — a gem from the pen of local legend Jim Nolan. Best known for plays like Blackwater Angel and The Red Iron, Nolan’s writing always captures Waterford’s heart and humour. Moonshine is one of his earlier works, and it’s a real treat to see it revived — you don’t often get the chance to catch this one performed live!
Joining me in studio this week were director Shauna Farrell and cast member Paula Weldon, who shared their excitement about bringing this rarely staged play to life. They spoke about the warmth and wit of Nolan’s script, and the sense of community that runs through every scene — something that feels perfectly at home in Waterford.
If you love theatre that’s both heartfelt and steeped in local storytelling, this production is not to be missed. Moonshine promises laughter, nostalgia, and that unmistakable spark that Jim Nolan’s work is known for.
Catch Moonshine by Quay Players at Garter Lane Theatre from Wednesday, April 15th to Saturday, April 18th. Tickets are available now from garterlane.ie — support local talent, celebrate one of Waterford’s great writers, and enjoy a night of classic Irish theatre done right.
Listen to my full chat with Shauna and Paula on the podcast to hear behind‑the‑scenes stories from the production and the creative magic bringing Moonshine to life.
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Our guest this week is Natasha Everitt - Theatre Maker. She brings her one-woman play to the stage this week - Time Passes. She plays Jennifer. As the blurb for the show says -
Meet Jennifer.
Jennifer lives with her Mother.
Jennifer stopped going to therapy.
And if that wasn’t enough,
Jennifer daydreams of being a lawnmower.
Time Passes lets us look at her dissociative and dissatisfied day as she ambles around the town. The play shows us what the world looks like through a lens that is foggy with daily crisp binges, divine femininity, and a disdain for therapists.
A dreamy, surreal, fast paced and funny show, packing a punch with brutal honesty, exploring human resilience and the mind of a machine.
This is an extended version of our on air chat with Natasha.
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