Award-winning play No Magic Pill kicks off an Irish tour at the Black Box Theatre in Galway tonight for just 3 performances; Thursday and Friday 8pm and 2pm this Saturday.
Inspired by disability rights activist, and Spiddal man Martin Naughton, this hilarious and heartfelt play is written and produced by Christian O’Reilly. When it premiered here in 2022, it won the Irish Times Theatre Audience Choice Award and critics called it ‘transformative theatre that compels as much as it entertains’ (Irish Independent ) and ‘gutsy and engaging’ (The Irish Times ).
What sets No Magic Pill apart is its commitment to disability representation, both on and off the stage. The creative team of O’Reilly, director Raymond Keane and disability dramaturg Peter Kearns were determined only to use disabled actors to play the disabled characters allowing the actors to bring an authentic, lived experience to their performances.
Accessible Performances
There are enhanced considerations for disabled audiences too. The Black Box Theatre has been adapted to allow increased capacity for wheelchair users, ISL interpretation and Audio description are available for all three performances and a free touch tour for visually impaired audience members will take place at 12noon on Saturday prior to the matinee performance.
If all of this sounds terribly worthy and well-meant-but-dull – don’t be fooled! A magic pill for the heart, mind and soul, No Magic Pill is a terrific night out. Funny, edgy, romantic and fresh, this is one play you don’t want to miss. Black Box Theatre tonight, Thursday 7, Friday 8 & Saturday 9 November. Book your tickets at nomagicpill.ie or call 091 569 777.
