Eileen at Kel Watson Theatre

A GRAND IRISH MUSICAL ADVENTURE ~ AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

“Tis a great day tonight for the Irish, for the cause we’ve fought for and died. And the time is soon to be when you’ll see Old Ireland free! ‘Tis the land of our love and our pride!”

An exciting early 20th Century musical from a prodigious maestro, Eileen is Victor Herbert’s grand Irish ode to his maternal homeland.

GSOV is thrilled to be producing a fully staged season utilising a boutique instrumental ensemble and a stirring new libretto courtesy of VHRP Live, the premiere US company for the music of Victor Herbert.

On the eve of Irish revolution, patriot Barry O’Day meets the winsome Eileen in France and falls in love.

Torn between passion and duty, his sire land pulls his heart and he leaves, unsure if he’ll ever see her again.

Years later Barry journeys to his home in Sligo Bay ready to lead the rebellion against British occupation with the help of sympathetic English aristocrat, Lady Maude, the current owner of the O’Day lands. Imagine his surprise when Eileen turns out to be Lady Maude’s niece! Love rekindles, but with danger all around will their romance survive?

Directed by versatile auteur Suzanne Barton (World Goes 'Round - the Music of Kander & Ebb), with musical direction from multi-award nominee Kent Ross (Titantic - The Musical) and featuring authentic Irish dance choreography by Catherine Cosgriff with championship dancers from the Cosgriff Irish Dancing School, this rousing and romantic musical adventure is making its Australian premiere at the Kel Watson Theatre, Burwood East, following a successful 2017 season in New York.

With captivating characters and a joyful score, be swept away on a grand lyrical adventure. Don’t miss this craic-er of a show!

“Eileen remains highly esteemed by connoisseurs of operetta, and for good reason: It’s a delightful work.” – Classics Today

“Herbert’s score for Eileen is glorious: nostalgic, heroic, cinematic, humorous, and in character. It captures the romantic soul of Herbert and epitomizes the romantic American operetta in its transition from Victor Herbert to Jerome Kern.” – New World Records