The nationwide tour kicks off on August 8.
The story of the Miami Showband, one of the Ireland’s greatest showbands in the '60s and '70s, is soon to hit theatres across Ireland this August and September, including a run at the Gaiety Theatre from September 16-21.
The Miami Showband Story, written by Marie Jones (Stones in His Pockets) and Martin Lynch (Dancing Shoes: The George Best Story) takes audiences on a roller-coaster ride of the band's history, from their glory days in the '60s, right through to the tragedy of 1975, the show will feature a full live band of young actor and musicians.
Told through the eyes of best friends and song-writing duo, Fran O’Toole and Des Lee, we witness their rise from Dublin and Belfast beat groups to of fame and fortune. But less than ten years later, the dream comes to a tragic end, when Fran is murdered at a bogus British Army road-check outside Newry, along with Brian McCoy and Tony Geraghty.
Beset with survivor’s guilt, Des turns to alcohol and eventually leaves the country for South Africa. However, this doesn’t stop Fran’s ‘presence’ continuing to haunt Des, and it isn’t until 25 years later when a phone call from Ireland proposes a Miami reunion that the chance of redemption is offered to Des.
“I’ve read the script and it’s going to be a great show, but I’ve no doubt it will be a truly emotional night for me,” Des said in a statement about the show.
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Directed by Ruth Carney and produced by GBL Productions, The Miami Showband Story stars Niall McNamee (as Fran O’Toole), Gary Crossan (as Des Lee), Chris Mohan (as Dickie Rock & Paul Ashford), Connor Burnside (George, Journeyman band Member), Gavin Peden (Bap/Mick/Peter & New Miami Member), Gareth O’Connor (John, Journeyman band), Aileen Mythen (Fran O’Toole’s & Des Lee’s Mothers), Fiona Carty (Valeria, Fran O’Toole’s girlfriend) and Enda Kilroy (Fran’s Father/Des’ Father/ Tom Doherty).
See the full nationwide tour dates below:
8 – 17 August - Grand Opera House, Belfast
20 August - Market Place Theatre, Armagh
22 – 24 August - Millennium Forum, Derry
28 August - INEC, Killarney
30 August - Royal Theatre, Castlebar
2 September - Town Hall Theatre, Galway
4 September - The TLT Theatre, Drogheda
7 September - UCH, Limerick
10 – 11 September - Theatre Royal, Waterford
13 September - Solstice Arts Centre, Meath
16 – 21 September - The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin
