Showtime

Scene and Heard Productions visits Showtime
Waterford’s newest inclusive theatre company is making its mark with an inspiring original production. In this episode we speak with David Hennessy and Maura Upton. They discuss Scene and Heard Productions and its debut show, Up the Deise
Founded to support adults with intellectual disabilities, Scene and Heard creates opportunities through theatre. The company grew from Sean Upton's experience in Up Down Boy in 2024. His success inspired a bigger vision for performers across Waterford.
David Hennessy co-wrote the production with Sean. Their story follows a five-a-side hurling team chasing an All-Ireland final. Expect sporting drama, plenty of laughs, and some poignant moments. Will the team reach Croke Park and bring home the cup?
The production celebrates collaboration, creativity, friendship and the power of opportunity. Cast member Grace Howley also wrote a scene for the show. Her natural talent for poetry emerged during the company’s workshops.
The production features familiar Waterford performers, special guest appearances and local support. Guests include hurling legend John Mullane. Thursday’s performance also features Irish Sign Language interpreters for deaf audience members.
David and Maura share their ambitions for Scene and Heard’s future. They hope to develop year-round workshops and more creative opportunities. These will include writing, set design, makeup and other theatrical skills.
Their guiding message captures the company’s spirit: “Everyone deserves a stage.”
Discover how inclusive theatre can build confidence, friendships and community. Hear why this ambitious Waterford initiative means so much to everyone involved.
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Omega 3 Orchestra Return to Garter Lane
Live music can be difficult to describe when it refuses categories.
The Omega 3 Orchestra is a perfect example.
The Waterford group returns to Garter Lane this Saturday, September 19th.
Francie White and Gerry Madden joined Wayne to discuss the concert,
their unusual musical mix, and what audiences can expect.
Despite the name, Omega 3 isn't a conventional orchestra.
The eight-piece group features several talented multi-instrumentalists. Their music moves freely between jazz, swing, folk, traditional music and classical compositions.
That variety creates some wonderfully unexpected moments. Paganini and Mozart can sit alongside energetic instrumentals, while familiar songs bring another dimension to the performance. The group has around ninety pieces in its repertoire, so creating the right setlist takes careful thought.
Gerry explains how they balance fast and slower numbers,
while also mixing songs with instrumental performances.
The result keeps the evening varied, entertaining and unpredictable.
The musicians bring an impressive range of instruments to Garter Lane.
Mandolin, guitar, bass, piano and accordion all feature.
Saxophone, clarinet, percussion and harmonica add further colour.
The atmosphere matters just as much as the music.
Their concerts often feel like a relaxed fireside session.
The musicians enjoy playing together, and audiences respond naturally.
That connection can turn familiar songs into shared experiences.
Beatles and Elvis classics regularly encourage audiences to sing along.
The orchestra doesn't simply perform for its audience.
They invite audiences to become part of the show.
Local songwriter Shane Barry will also feature on the night.
He opens the concert with his own material,
before potentially joining the orchestra later in the evening.
The Omega 3 Orchestra performs at Garter Lane at 8pm
on Saturday, September 19th. Tickets cost €20,
with limited availability remaining.
For a night of live music in Waterford,
Omega 3 offers something genuinely different.
Expect great musicianship, familiar favourites and plenty of surprises.
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Waterford Musical Society is taking on one of musical theatre’s most dramatic shows. Next May, Jekyll & Hyde will come to the Theatre Royal, marking the first time the production has been staged in Waterford outside the festival.
In this episode, Wayne chats with director Margaret Kavanagh about the exciting new production. Margaret explains why Jekyll & Hyde represents such a significant challenge for Waterford Musical Society. She also reveals why the show offers tremendous opportunities for performers, both onstage and backstage.
With its dark story, demanding characters and powerful score, Jekyll & Hyde gives performers plenty to explore. Margaret describes the roles as particularly substantial, both vocally and dramatically. The ensemble also plays an important part, with everyone onstage helping to tell the story.
The production also welcomes people who haven't worked with WMS before.
Whether you want to perform, help backstage or support fundraising, there's a role for you. Margaret encourages anyone interested to complete the expression-of-interest form.
The conversation also explores the social side of musical theatre. Rehearsals provide a great opportunity to meet people during winter. Fundraising events bring the wider society together too. While producing a major musical takes plenty of hard work, Margaret believes everyone should enjoy the experience.
Jekyll & Hyde will become Waterford Musical Society’s tenth production. The society has previously tackled shows including Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver! and Evita. This latest production takes the society in a darker, more dramatic direction.
The show also boasts a fantastic musical score. Audiences will recognise This Is the Moment, Someone Like You and Once Upon a Dream. Margaret points out that the soundtrack contains many more memorable songs.
Auditions will take place on October 11th and October 18th.
The process will cover singing, acting and movement. Ensemble auditions will take place in groups, helping performers feel more comfortable.
Expressions of interest are now open across Waterford Musical Society’s social media.
Search for Waterford Musical Society on Facebook and Instagram.
If you've ever wanted to join a musical, this could be your moment.
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Luke Corcoran and Robyn Brady talk Pub Theatre
Waterford Pub Theatre Returns With Two Exciting Productions
Luke Corcoran and producer Robin Brady joined Showtime on Sunday. They discuss new actors, fresh writing, and local theatre opportunities. Their project creates exciting opportunities for emerging Waterford theatre talent.
Luke launched pub theatre after working with new actors. He wanted to create opportunities outside traditional theatre funding systems. Waterford has plenty of pubs, so Luke embraced that advantage.
He writes short plays and performs them before live audiences. The format delivers multiple short plays during one great night.
This summer brings Pub Theatre Royale to Waterford audiences. The programme offers comedy and thought-provoking storytelling. Each play explores different characters, relationships, and social themes.The performances focus strongly on actors and powerful writing.
Tactile explores language, culture, immigration, identity, and human connection. Pavlo Bondarenko speaks Ukrainian throughout his character's journey. Kanisha Duvall speaks Irish during their powerful exchanges together. Their performances show how emotions can cross language barriers.
Good Christopher combines comedy with sharp commentary about language. Peter Wright and Gillian Walsh lead this entertaining production together. The final play, Forty, delivers a very different experience. David Green leads seven actors through an unusual competition. The story follows Forty, a legendary local drinking champion. However, Forty shocks everyone when he orders red lemonade instead.
The podcast also explores another important Waterford theatre project. A Village brings recovery programme participants onto the Theatre Royal stage. Luke created the play through his In Other Words Project. The production explores Brehon Law through humour and storytelling. The project also shows how theatre can build confidence. Participants have already found new opportunities through their acting experiences. Their stories demonstrate theatre's potential beyond entertainment and performance alone.
Pub Theatre Royale takes place Thursday, August twentieth, this week. Theatre Royal hosts the show, with tickets costing €22.50. A Village takes place Tuesday, August eighteenth, at seven.
Both productions celebrate Waterford theatre, creativity, inclusion, and community.
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Remembering Mona Manahan with Jim Nolan
This podcast pays tribute to Waterford theatre legend Mona Manahan.
Mona sadly passed away last week, leaving a remarkable legacy. Many people knew Mona as Des Manahan’s devoted wife. However, she built an impressive career within Irish theatre.
Lifelong friend Jim Nolan shares his personal memories. Jim joined us to remember Mona’s extraordinary life and work. He recalls Mona’s important role with Red Kettle Theatre. Mona worked as a costume designer for many productions. She also served as a director within the company. Jim describes her as a vital member of their theatre family. Her creativity, discipline, and imagination shaped countless productions.
Mona always knew exactly what she wanted. She also shared honest opinions about every theatrical decision. Her honesty sometimes created tensions with fellow theatre makers. Yet everyone respected her passion and professional standards.
Jim remembers working with Mona on several major productions. These included The Kings of the Kilburn High Road. She also designed costumes for The Salvage Shop.
Her theatre work showed remarkable skill and dedication.
Mona also played a central role within Red Kettle. She helped create a strong sense of family. Jim remembers her kindness towards younger theatre professionals.
He describes Mona and Des as inspiring personal role models. Their relationship showed the strength of true partnership. They worked together across theatre, music, and community projects. They also contributed greatly to the local arts scene. He also recalls special family visits to their home. Those moments remain among his most treasured memories.
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