Concert reading Friday, 24 April 2026
Irish Culture Centre, Hammersmith

RISING reimagines the 1916 Dublin rebellion through the inner life of Patrick Pearse, its most enigmatic leader. As he leads the charge against the British Empire, Patrick must reconcile his public role with the private self he has kept hidden – his queerness, his sensitivity, and his doubts.

Fighting alongside him are a community of eccentrics: artists, bookworms, socialists and socialites. Together, they form not just a revolutionary force, but a chosen family.

Blending Irish folk music with sweeping Broadway storytelling, RISING offers an intimate portrait of revolution – not as myth, but as lived experience. Epic in scope yet deeply personal, this bold new musical asks: what does it cost to become a symbol – and can a sensitive soul lead a nation?

Les Mis meets Milk in this thrilling, queer re-examination of Irish history, one that resonates far beyond 1916.

MUSIC

Tom James McGrath · RISING (demos)

DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

SIAMSA: AN IRISH VARIETY NIGHT June 2024: we presented a concert reading of the first 30 minutes of the show at the Toulouse Lautrec jazz club in London. Produced by Joe O’Neill and the Irish Creative Collective, and featuring performers Brian Raftery, Brendan MaGeean, Conor Mathers, Jackie Pulford, and Emily Woodfull.

CREATIVE TEAM

Tom James McGrath (book, music & lyrics) is a composer-lyricist from Tipperary, Ireland. His background is in classical and Irish folk music. He has a master’s degree in contemporary composition from Trinity College, Dublin. His musicals have been performed in the Camden Fringe, London and Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin. Tom works part-time as an NHS doctor. He is a member of the Book, Music & Lyrics workshop. @ TomJamesMcGrath www.tomjamesmcgrath.com

Amy Clare Tasker (book & lyrics) is a theatre maker and musical theatre writer. Alongside her work with Pinecone Performance Lab, she produces the Voila! Theatre Festival and the Theatre Maker artist development programme at The Cockpit. Amy has a BA in Drama from the University of California, Irvine. She is a member of the Book, Music & Lyrics workshop, Mercury Musical Developments, and Musical Theatre Network. @ AmyClareTasker www.amyclaretasker.com