ACTOR, playwright, and poet Emmet Kirwan is set to bring his powerful and transformative stage show ACCENTS to Limerick as part of a national tour. The highly acclaimed production will be performed at Belltable on Thursday, February 13, and Friday, February 14, before continuing on to Cork and Galway.
ACCENTS is an evocative exploration of identity, family, and the passage of time, prompted by the birth of Kirwan’s first son. It delves into the power of voice—how accents shape perceptions, define identities, and influence personal and societal narratives. The play also examines the struggles of the post-crash boom generation, navigating life in an era of economic uncertainty and personal transformation.
A unique fusion of spoken word and music, ACCENTS is delivered through eight gripping poems set against a music soundtrack.
The show is directed by Claire O’Reilly of Malaprop Theatre.
The pulsating score, originally composed by the late Eoin French—best known for his work with Talos—adds an ethereal depth to the production. This 2025 tour is dedicated to French’s memory, celebrating his extraordinary talent and ensuring his music continues to resonate with audiences.
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Kirwan’s stage presence is nothing short of a “Big Bang” explosion—his dynamic, rhythmic storytelling is complemented by the multi-instrumental talents of Ben Bix and Brian Dillon. As classically trained musicians and members of the experimental electronic supergroup Meltybrains?, Bix and Dillon breathe new life into French’s hauntingly beautiful compositions, crafting an immersive soundscape that elevates the entire theatrical experience.
Speaking about the upcoming tour, Kirwan shared his excitement and deep personal connection to the show:
“I am thrilled to bring ACCENTS back to the stage and to a larger audience. I set out to write a contemporary piece about life in modern Ireland five years ago alongside Eoin. Life has changed for everyone since then, including myself, and becoming a father changed not only my own story but also the narrative of this play.
“The loss of Eoin has profoundly affected all of us and changed how we see the world and his work. We hope to bring Eoin French’s incredible score and body of work back to the stage so it can be heard by new audiences and ensure it still pulsates and lives on in people’s memories. I know he was incredibly proud of what he made, and we want people to hear that.
“This show is laugh-out-loud funny, energetic, entertaining, and also extremely life-affirming.”
The production’s direction by Claire O’Reilly ensures that every moment on stage is finely tuned for maximum impact. O’Reilly, whose work has graced the Abbey Theatre and Dublin Theatre Festival, brings her signature vision to the show, balancing its raw poetic energy with striking theatrical precision.
Kirwan, widely recognized for his award-winning play Dublin Oldschool—which played to sold-out audiences in Dublin, London’s West End, and beyond—has firmly established himself as one of Ireland’s most compelling artistic voices.
Meanwhile, Ben Bix and Brian Dillon continue to leave their mark on the Irish and international music scene. With experience spanning collaborations with artists such as Loah, Denise Chaila, and Sorcha Richardson, their presence in ACCENTS ensures that the show remains as musically innovative as it is theatrically profound.
This 65-minute production promises to be an unforgettable experience—a poetic, musical, and theatrical tour de force that explores the beauty, power, and complexity of identity.
Playing at Belltable on Thursday, February 13 and Friday, February 14.
