WAKE is an electrifying Irish variety phenomenon that remixes traditions in a high-octane, heart-thumping celebration of life and connection. Customs collide with club anthems, creating a euphoric soundtrack for a night filled with aerial artistry, Irish tap, cabaret, slam poetry, pole dancing and more! Best known as an ancient funeral rite, the Irish WAKE is actually a celebration of transformation, of moving from one realm to another. Ushering in fabulous change – caterpillar to butterfly – the WAKE is a timeless reminder to live fully. This is a raucous celebration of community, regeneration and the magic of collective catharsis.
Acclaimed Irish theatre company THISISPOPBABY invites you to witness an anthemic spectacle with the spirit of an epic trad session and the ecstatic energy of a stadium concert. After two sold-out, award-winning runs in Dublin, WAKE comes to Manchester’s Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, 17 – 21 April following its UK debut at Sadler’s Wells.
Co-created and co-directed by THISISPOPBABY’s Jennifer Jennings and Phillip McMahon, and designed by Niall Sweeney, the show subverts the rites and structure of a traditional Irish wake to create a club culture infused frenzy of ritual, rave, grief and joy.
THISISPOPBABY have been tearing up the space between high art and club culture for 16 years, becoming a vital force for social change within Ireland and speaking to the world through the lens of what it means to be Irish. Previous work ranges from large scale and stadium shows RIOT and Alice in Funderland, multidisciplinary festivals Where We Live and Queer Notions, underground performances WERK and Salty and award-winning new writing. Recent work also includes 0800 CUPID which had sold out runs in Dublin and Soho Theatre in autumn 2024.
WAKE explores liturgy, grief, togetherness and collectively imagining the future, all within the framework of a wild party. It embraces the ecstasy of letting go, the wild abandon of an all nighter and the beauty of transformation.
Jennifer Jennings and Phillip McMahon said: ‘We cannot wait to bring this bold, ambitious, fabulous juggernaut of a show to Manchester. WAKE thrilled audiences in Ireland, and now it’s only fair that we bring the joy to these shores and see what your audiences are made of. I’m sure they know how to party, so we say let’s raise the roof together!.’
Listings information
THISISPOPBABY presents
WAKE
Peacock Theatre, London
Wednesday 2 – Friday 4 April 7.30pm
Saturday 5 April 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Press Night Wednesday 2 April
Aviva Studios, Manchester
Thursday 17, Friday 18, Sunday 20, Monday 21 April 7.30pm
Saturday 19 April 7pm & 9.30pm
Running Time: 90 mins approx. (no interval)
WAKE is supported by Culture Ireland.
