No Magic Pill play by Christian O'Reilly
Running time: 80 minutes (no interval)
Magic Pill Productions presents
by Christian O’Reilly
directed by Raymond Keane
From award-winning writer Christian O’Reilly - Unspeakable Conversations, Sanctuary, The Good Father, Inside I’m Dancing - and directed by Raymond Keane, No Magic Pill was the winner of the Audience Choice Award at the 2022 Irish Times Theatre Awards and wowed audiences and critics alike when it premiered that year.
The Irish Times
Inspired by real-life activist and wheelchair-user, Martin Naughton, leader of the disability rights movement in Ireland (who passed away in 2016), this production breaks new ground in Irish theatre in its casting of disabled actors.
Martin is a man at war with the Government, with society, but, above all else, with himself - and at this crisis point in his life, which road will he choose? Will his fight for equality be derailed by dreams of lifelong love and distant shores?
Irish Independent
The creative team also includes dramaturg and disability consultant, Peter Kearns; set designer, Ger Clancy; lighting designer, Sarah Jane Shiels; costume designer, Deirdre Dwyer; music and sound designer, Trevor Knight and movement director, Rachel Parry. Full cast details to be announced.
No Magic Pill is funded by the Arts Council and is presented in association with Independent Living Movement Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association and Disability Federation of Ireland. Magic Pill Productions would also like to acknowledge the support of Town Hall Theatre, The Civic, glór, Backstage and The Glens Arts Centre.
No Magic Pill will be presented with additional accessibility considerations, including increased seating for wheelchair users and their companions. Visit Accessibility page for more information.
Free Disability Equality Workshops will take place in Galway, Longford, Ennis, and Dublin from September 23-26, ahead of the Irish tour of No Magic Pill.
About the Workshops
Each workshop is 2.5 hours long and welcomes both disabled and non-disabled participants. These interactive sessions aim to ignite conversations about building inclusive environments, dismantling stereotypes, and fostering equal opportunities. Past attendees have called the workshops "fun, engaging, and eye-opening." Grounded in the Social Model of Disability, the workshops highlight the barriers created by society for disabled people.
Who are the workshops for?
The workshops welcome disabled and non-disabled participants and are for anyone passionate about creating positive change in disability equality, starting with oneself.
Delivery Team
This outreach programme is led by Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) and is a collaboration between ILMI, Magic Pill Productions, Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), and Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI). Workshops will be facilitated by Peter Kearns, a No Magic Pill cast member, dramaturg, and ILMI DPO Development Officer.
Places are limited. If you are interested in participating, please email ninabyrne@ilmi.ie. All workshops are free.
Galway
Irish Wheelchair Association, Briarhill
10 am - 12.30 pm, Wednesday, 25 September
Longford
Sports hall beside the Irish Wheelchair Association in Kenagh
2 pm - 4.30 pm, Monday, 23 September
Ennis
studio @ glór
10.30 am - 1 pm, Tuesday, 24 September
Dublin
Irish Wheelchair Association, Clontarf
2 pm - 4.30 pm, Thursday, 26 September
