The high-energy theatrical experience lands at the Peacock Theatre and Aviva Studios
Brace yourselves—THISISPOPBABY’s WAKE is coming, and it’s not here to play. Think Riverdance on steroids, but for the club kids. This genre-smashing spectacle blends Irish tradition with underground club culture, all wrapped up in a euphoric, high-energy performance that’s part rave, part funeral, and all heart. After two sold-out, critically acclaimed runs in Dublin, the show makes its West End debut at the Peacock Theatre from 2–5 April before heading north to Manchester’s Aviva Studios from 17–21 April.
WAKE: Where Tradition Meets Club Culture
Irish wakes are known for mourning, sure, but they’re also about transformation, celebration, and catharsis. WAKE takes that same raw emotion and spins it into a riot of music, dance, aerial acrobatics, slam poetry, and pole artistry. Co-created and co-directed by Jennifer Jennings and Phillip McMahon, the show doesn’t just push boundaries—it obliterates them.
With an eclectic mix of performers, WAKE brings together breakdancers, traditional musicians, aerialists, and poets, all set to an anthemic soundtrack of Irish trad, electro beats, and stadium-sized bangers. Designed by Niall Sweeney, the show creates a visually explosive world where grief and joy collide, reminding us all to live like there’s no tomorrow.
A Theatre Experience Like No Other
THISISPOPBABY has been redefining Irish theatre for 16 years, and WAKE is their most ambitious project yet. This isn’t just a night at the theatre; it’s a full-on sensory takeover that promises to be unlike anything you’ve seen before. Think of it as a theatrical rave, where the ecstasy of movement and sound creates a hypnotic, almost religious experience.
Jennifer Jennings and Phillip McMahon are ready to shake up the UK:
“WAKE thrilled audiences in Ireland, and now it’s only fair we bring the joy to these shores. I’m sure you know how to party—so let’s raise the roof together!”
Meet the Phenomenal Cast
WAKE boasts an insanely talented cast of musicians, dancers, and performers who will blow your mind:
•Adam Matthews – Singer and performer from Dublin band Phoeno.
•Alma Kelliher – Composer and sound designer who’s worked with Moncrieff, Wallis Bird, and Villagers.
•Darren Roche – Accordionist from trad band Moxie.
•Felicia Olusanya – Iconic Irish poet and spoken-word performer.
•Lisette Krol – World-champion pole artist from Venezuela.
•Cristian Dirocie – Breakdancer bringing Dominican Republic flair to the mix.
•Jade O’Connor – Kerry-born dancer and singer.
•Michael Roberson – American Irish dancer bringing next-level footwork to the stage.
•Jenny Tufts – World-class aerialist defying gravity.
•Philip Connaughton – Choreographer and long-time THISISPOPBABY collaborator.
Be There or Miss Out
If you love boundary-pushing theatre, raucous energy, and electrifying performances, WAKE is your kind of show. It’s an immersive, unapologetically bold spectacle that will leave you buzzing for days.
