RISING reimagines the 1916 Dublin rebellion through the inner life of Patrick Pearse, its most enigmatic leader. As he leads the charge against the British Empire, Patrick must reconcile his public role with the private self he has kept hidden – his queerness, his sensitivity, and his doubts.

Fighting alongside him are a community of eccentrics: artists, bookworms, socialists and socialites. Together, they form not just a revolutionary force, but a chosen family. Les Mis meets Milk in this thrilling re-examination of Irish history, from the award-winning writers of The Queen Is Mad (Edinburgh Fringe 2025).

MUSIC

DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

CONCERT READING: first draft April 2026. To mark the 110 anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, we presented the first full-length performance of RISING at the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith.

The cast included Brian Raftery, Matthew Lloyd Davies, Michele Moran, Patrick D’Arcy, Eiméar Crealey, Ethlinn Rose, Robert Finlayson, and Martin Nelson, with a three-piece band including Tom James McGrath, Karolina Przasnyska, and Ben Cooper. In association with the Irish Creative Collective and generously supported by Cory Campbell.

SIAMSA: AN IRISH VARIETY NIGHT June 2024. Early in the writing process, we presented the first 30 minutes of the show at the Toulouse Lautrec jazz club in London. Produced by Joe O’Neill and the Irish Creative Collective, and featuring performers Brian Raftery, Brendan MaGeean, Conor Mathers, Jackie Pulford, and Emily Woodfull.

CREATIVE TEAM

Tom James McGrath (book, music & lyrics) is a composer-lyricist from Tipperary, Ireland. His background is in classical and Irish folk music. He has a master’s degree in contemporary composition from Trinity College, Dublin. His musicals have been performed in the Camden Fringe, London and Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin. Tom works part-time as an NHS doctor. He is a member of the Book, Music & Lyrics workshop. @ TomJamesMcGrath www.tomjamesmcgrath.com

Amy Clare Tasker (book & lyrics) is a theatre maker and musical theatre writer. Alongside her work with Pinecone Performance Lab, she produces the Voila! Theatre Festival and the Theatre Maker artist development programme at The Cockpit. Amy has a BA in Drama from the University of California, Irvine. She is a member of the Book, Music & Lyrics workshop, Mercury Musical Developments, and Musical Theatre Network. @ AmyClareTasker www.amyclaretasker.com