Ireland 1920. A divided political landscape where conflict, poverty and suffering is rife.
When twins Sean and Érainn are left orphaned and impoverished, they are forced to flee their home in the North and travel south to a Dublin that is bubbling over with political tension and violence.
With an epic original score rooted in traditional Irish and classical music, folkloric lyrics and an adventure-driven book, we follow the twins on their divergent journeys across Ireland and beyond. Sean and Érainn are forced to confront what has driven them to leave their home and if they can reconcile themselves with their past and each other. ÉRAINN is a coming-of-age tale and an affirmation of the power of humanity.
ÉRAINN'S JOURNEY SO FAR
ÉRAINN began its journey three years ago with Matthew’s true family story and a desire to write about it. We delved in to the subject matter, the rich history of the period, writing the book, music and lyrics and creating a full score with orchestrator Charlie Perry. Since then, we have…
"JUST FOR A WHILE" DEMO RELEASE
With vocals by Charlie McCullagh, playing Sean, and composer Matthew Quinn on the keys.
GALLERY
A selection of photos from our workshop at ICMT in Belfast in August 2020 with local professional actors and a cross-community young cast from JH Academy.
MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM
Emily Hunter Oulton
Emily Hunter Oulton is a Manchester-based theatre director, producer and writer with a particular interest in musicals and music theatre. Current projects include: Arts Council England funded R&D A LIFE with the Royal Exchange Theatre, The ClassRoom with Kruckle and supported by Contact Theatre and the Blagrave Trust, and soundlandscape with Obscura Theatre. Previous credits include: Associate Director on West Side Story at Curve Theatre, Leicester, and Resident Director on the Curve/National Tour of My Beautiful Laundrette. Previous writing credits include debut play Election Day at Contact Theatre, Manchester.
Matthew Quinn
Matthew Quinn is a Northern Irish conductor, composer, singer, and music producer for BBC Music NI. Working across the UK and Ireland, Matthew has conducted a range of high-quality ensembles such as NI Opera, Crouch End Festival Chorus, Hallam Sinfonia, and Manchester Philharmonic Choir. He has also recently made his professional debut with both the RTE Concert Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra. As a musical director he has worked for companies such as the National Stage School of Ireland and Voiceworks NI, as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Previous MD credits include ‘West Side Story’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Godspell!’, ‘Dogfight’, and ‘My Fair Lady’.
Charlie Perry
Charlie is a conductor, arranger, singer and composer based in the North West. Current posts are: Musical Director of The Lindow Singers, Wilmslow; Cantores Olicanae, Ilkley and Director of Music at the Manchester Oratory. This year he was selected to be part of the Crouch End Festival Chorus’ Young Conductor Scheme in London. Charlie has MD’d a number of shows in the North West including Into the Woods and Little Shop of Horrors. As a composer and arranger Charlie is frequently producing music for his numerous musical groups, covering a diverse variety of genres. His Christmas Carol ‘Always Winter, Never Christmas’ was selected as a winning entry in the Kantos Chamber Choir’s annual carol competition last December.