LIMERICK’S abandoned Theatre Royal will host its first public performances in nearly 30 years with CONNIE, a bold theatrical reimagining of Hollywood actress Constance Smith’s life.
The art deco cinema, which originally screened Smith’s films in the 1950s, provides a striking backdrop for the production. Written by award-winning playwrights Ann Blake and Joanne Ryan, CONNIE blends live performance, archival film, and an original score recorded with the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
The all-female cast production runs from Saturday, 18th October to Sunday, 2nd November, with evening performances at 7.30pm and a matinée on Saturday, 25th October at 2pm.
Accessible performances include an Irish Sign Language interpreted show on Tuesday, 28th October at 7.30pm with Keira O’Connell, and an audio-described performance on Saturday, 1st November at 7.30pm with Mo Harte. Tickets available at www.limetreebelltable.ie
- Irish Sign Language (ISL) performance with interpreter Keira O’Connell: Tuesday 28 October, 7.30pm
- Audio-described performance with Audio Describer Mo Harte:
Saturday 1 November, 7.30pm
Staged in Limerick’s historic Theatre Royal – the first public performance in the building for almost 30 years – CONNIE is a bold, immersive theatrical event that reimagines the incredible life of Limerick-born Hollywood actress Constance Smith.
The producer, Joanne Ryan, is thrilled to announce these performances to ensure that the production is accessible to a wider audience.
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Keira O’Connell is a freelance Irish Sign Language interpreter based in Cork. She studied ISL interpreting at the Centre for Deaf Studies in Trinity College, Dublin. With previous experience assisting adults with autism and acquired brain injuries, she recognises the power of effective communication.
Mo Harte is an access artist who is making theatre, dance, the visual arts and the natural world accessible for people with disabilities. Mo works closely with Arts and Disability Ireland as an audio describer, facilitating access performances for people who are low sighted, blind, or are neurodivergent. She will provide introductory notes ahead of the performance and live verbal descriptions through headset during the show.
CONNIE will be staged in the old Theatre Royal; one of the only city cinemas still standing that originally screened Constance’s films in the 1950s. Abandoned and inaccessible for decades, its art deco design and faded, forgotten grandeur beautifully mirror her story.
Written and created by award-winning Limerick playwrights, Ann Blake and Joanne Ryan, CONNIE blends live performance, archival film, and an original score recorded with the Irish Chamber Orchestra to give audiences a thrilling and unforgettable experience. With an all-female cast and a striking site-specific setting, CONNIE is a haunting, lyrical journey through memory, identity, and the cost of being forgotten.
“We’re so thrilled to be able to ensure this vital production is accessible to a wider audience. It’s rarer in site-specific performances to be able to have accessible shows, so we’re really delighted to be able to achieve it for Connie. We’re delighted to be working with brilliant artists Keira and Mo to bring the show to life for d/DEaf, hard of hearing and visually impaired audiences.” Joanne Ryan
Ticket price: €28/€25
Times: 7:30pm evening shows, 2pm Matinees
Dates: Saturday October 18th – Sunday November 2nd
Previews: October 18th, October 19th and October 21st at 7.30pm
Opening night: October 22nd at 7.30pm
Running from October 23rd-2nd November with shows at 7.30pm (except Monday 27th) with matinee performance on Saturday 25th October at 2pm
Irish Sign Language (ISL) performance: Tuesday 28 October, 7.30pm
Audio-described performance: Saturday 1 November, 7.30pm
