THISISPOPBABY: RIOT

The New York Times review by Ben Brantley: “Boogie on down [to this] popular retro-disco-circus protest"

Co-presented by Irish Arts Center and NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

A THISISPOPBABY production 
Created & directed by Jennifer Jennings and Phillip McMahon
Composed by Alma Kelliher
With original text by Emmet Kirwan and Panti
Additional text by Michael Harding
Designed by Niall Sweeney
Costume design by James David Seaver
Lighting design by Mark Galione
Movement direction by Suzanne Cleary and Peter Harding

"Sensational" —The Irish Times

The jaw-dropping theatrical phenomenon makes its U.S. debut! RIOT, which broke box office records and won Best Production at the Dublin Fringe Festival, will set hearts soaring and pulses racing during a very limited run this February at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. 

A disorderly cocktail of wild theatre, gut-punching spoken word, banging jigs, slapstick comedy and eye-popping circus, RIOT is your big night out, infusing the magic of theatre with the excitement of variety and the energy of the dance floor. It is both party and politic, a love letter of hope to the future, a state-of-the-nation clarion call, and both celebration and blunt criticism of the world today.

The all-star cast features Queen of Ireland Panti (The Ringmaster); Dublin Oldschool and Heartbreak’s Emmet Kirwan (Street Corner Poet); Up & Over It (The Ninjas); Lords of Strut (The Clowns); Ronan Brady (The Strongman); and Alma Kelliher, Nicola Kavanagh, Adam Matthews, and Once The Musical’s Megan Riordan (The Sirens); with frocks by James David Seaver and set design by Niall Sweeney.

ANNOUNCING SPECIAL GUESTS:

February 15: Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh
February 16: drag sensation Lady Bunny
February 17: poet and activist Caridad de la Luz / La Bruja

"★★★★★ While the performers are all excellent, the strength of this show is how it makes its audience feel. I walked out believing change is possible, believing that I can make a difference in the world." —entertainment.ie 

"★★★★★ Gorgeous, with glitter on top" —The Daily Mail

"★★★★★ The poster clearly states – RIOT is thrilling, exhilarating, uplifting and unique…this doesn’t even come close" —The Sunday World

"Thrilling, hilarious, joyous and well, riotous!" —Hot Press

Originally co-produced by Dublin Fringe Festival and supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.

RIOT is also supported by the Nancy Malone Living Trust.