Eileen Walsh to bring 24-hour show to Cork Opera House

This year’s Cork Midsummer Festival will include a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical event, featuring one of Leeside’s most celebrated performers, Eileen Walsh.

The 24-hour show, entitled The Second Woman, will take place at Cork Opera House, and will feature Ms Walsh in the leading role of a woman stuck in a loveless relationship.

Following sold-out productions in London, New York, Madrid, and Sydney, The Second Woman will make it’s Irish debut at Cork Midsummer Festival, in a funny, awkward and emotional showing.

Over the 24 hours, 100 different men will star opposite Ms Walsh as she performs the same scene over and over, where the characters discover their relationship has lost its creativity and romance.

None of the 100 men will have rehearsed with Ms Walsh’s character, Virginia, prior to the performance and most of them will be non-actors.

“We’re so thrilled and excited that Eileen Walsh will be our Virginia for this production of The Second Woman in Cork, Eileen’s hometown,” Lorraine Maye, director of Cork Midsummer Festival, said.

“She is an extraordinary actor and this is a show like no other you will have ever seen before.

“This is going to be sensational, one of those ‘were you there?’ moments that people will be talking about for years to come.”

CEO of Cork Opera House, Eibhlín Gleeson said: “Running over a 24 hour period, this groundbreaking piece will use our stage and our venue in a way that it has never been used before.

“It’s exhilarating to welcome Cork super talent, Eileen Walsh back to our stage and we cannot wait to make this the theatrical event of the summer.”

The marathon show, which is suitable for ages 15 and above, will take place from 4pm on June 14 and will conclude at 4pm on June 15.

Tickets for the event, available for purchase via www.corkmidsummer.com and www.corkoperahouse.ie, vary in price depending on admittance time, and range between €20 and €55.