Cast announced for Award Winning play coming to the Backstage Theatre in Longford

Magic Pill Productions today announces the cast for the award-winning play No Magic Pill by Christian O’Reilly, which will tour Galway, Longford, Ennis and Dublin from 7-23 November.

The play will arrive in Longford on 12 November until 13 November.

The six-strong cast was announced as Sorcha Curley, Eric Fitzgerald, Mark Fitzgerald, Peter Kearns, Ferdia MacAonghusa and Julie Sharkey. Five of the six actors are reprising their roles from the premiere production in 2022, while Eric Fitzgerald joins the cast to take on the lead role of Martin.

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Inspired by real-life activist and wheelchair-user, Martin Naughton, leader of the disability rights movement in Ireland (who passed away in 2016), this production breaks new ground in Irish theatre in its casting of disabled actors and also in its considerations for disabled audience members. 

 Writer Christian O’Reilly said: ‘I’m looking forward to working with this brilliant group of actors and reuniting with director Raymond Keane, whose visionary production of No Magic Pill in 2022 gave Irish theatre audiences a disability-themed show unlike anything they’d seen before – fast-paced, funny, irreverent, surprising, romantic and visually sparkling. I’d like to welcome Eric Fitzgerald, who will play our lead character Martin and blew us away when he auditioned. He will bring a whole new energy to No Magic Pill and break audience hearts in the best way possible.’

Director Raymond Keane said: ‘Working on No Magic Pill has elevated me as an artist and as a person. It is one of the most challenging, rewarding projects I have worked on. I can’t wait to get back with my new and old tribe. Come join us.’

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Actor Eric Fitzgerald who plays the lead role of ‘Martin’ said: ‘I am beyond ecstatic to be involved in this production. I could not have hoped for a better cast and crew to gear me up for the biggest role I have ever undertaken. I am really looking forward to performing alongside the talent of No Magic Pill, and to showcase my own acting abilities.’

In addition to the tour, an Outreach programme of free Disability Equality Workshops will take place in advance of the November tour. A series of four workshops will be delivered from 23-26 September by Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI). Disabled and non-disabled participants are invited to attend the free workshops in Galway, Longford, Ennis and Dublin. 

The aim of the sessions is to ignite conversations about building inclusive environments, dismantling stereotypes, and fostering equal opportunities for disabled people. The workshops are open to disabled and non-disabled participants and are for anyone passionate about creating positive change in disability equality, starting with oneself.

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No Magic Pill will be presented with additional accessibility considerations for disabled patrons, including increased seating for wheelchair users and their companions, shows with Audio Description, touch tours and Irish Sign Language Interpretation.

No Magic Pill is funded by the Arts Council and is presented in association with Independent Living Movement Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association and Disability Federation of Ireland. Magic Pill Productions would also like to acknowledge the support of Town Hall Theatre, The Civic, glór, Backstage and The Glens Arts Centre. Supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.