---
title: "Glen Hansards Final Musical Project To Receive World Premiere At Belfasts Lyric Theatre ATUR22ITBNCO"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/91f428f2-7396-46f8-b885-31a319865670
source_url: "https://www.irishnews.com/entertainment/glen-hansards-final-musical-project-to-receive-world-premiere-at-belfasts-lyric-theatre-ATUR22ITBNCOZFJKIRE54ILHJ4/"
stack: https://stacklist.com/stack/46264067-7597-4361-abc6-8f7180e9fe0e
summary: "Glen Hansard's final musical project, a stage adaptation of Waking Ned Devine featuring music and lyrics by Hansard and Markéta Irglová, will premiere at Belfast's Lyric Theatre in February 2027. Following Hansard's death in July, the production team has committed to continuing the project, with direction by Tony Award winner John Doyle."
tags: "glen-hansard, musical-theatre, waking-ned-devine, belfast, lyric-theatre, marketa-irglova, stage-adaptation"
key_entities: "Glen Hansard (person), Markéta Irglová (person), John Doyle (person), Kirk Jones (person), Lyric Theatre (organization), The Frames (organization), Arts Council of Northern Ireland (organization), Belfast (location), Dublin (location), Northern Ireland (location), Academy Award for Best Original Song (event), Once (concept), Waking Ned Devine (concept)"
classification: "reference"
content_hash: "sha256:9f4cf6deab5b14d1b676574e3555fe61b7b9a3948e655340bee56f07b240d837"
acp_version: "0.2"
token_counts_approximate: 883
visibility: public
agent_accessible: true
status: "final"
---

# Glen Hansards Final Musical Project To Receive World Premiere At Belfasts Lyric Theatre ATUR22ITBNCO

Oscar-winning Irish musician and activist Glen Hansard’s final musical project is set to receive its world premiere in Belfast next year. A new stage adaptation of Waking Ned Devine, featuring music and lyrics by Hansard and his longtime collaborator Markéta Irglová, will open at the Lyric Theatre in February 2027. The show is the pair’s first musical collaboration since Once, the low-budget Irish film whose song Falling Slowly earned them the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. Hansard, the frontman of The Frames who also appeared in the hit film The Commitments, died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin in July aged 56. Glen Hansard’s final musical project to receive world premiere at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre Inside Belfast’s ‘Sinister’ new shop helping revive Donegall Pass’s antiques tradition He had spent the past year working with Irglová and the production’s wider creative team to develop the new musical. Glen Hansard had spent the past year working with Irglová and the production’s wider creative team to develop the new musical. (Brian Lawless/PA) Following his death, the Lyric Theatre, producers Waking Ned Devine LLC and the creative team agreed to continue with the production. Hansard’s music and lyrics remain a central part of the show as it moves towards the stage. Irglová said carrying forward the work they had begun together felt like “both a privilege and a blessing”. “I am thrilled by the work ahead on Waking Ned Devine and honoured to be continuing this journey with the support of the Lyric,” she said. “Carrying forward the creative work that Glen and I began together feels like both a privilege and a blessing. “This is a story full of heart, humour and humanity, and I am excited to bring its next chapter to life through song while celebrating the spirit that has made it so beloved.” Based on the 1998 film written and directed by Kirk Jones, Waking Ned Devine follows the residents of a small Irish village after one of them wins a fortune on the lottery. When an unexpected complication threatens the windfall, Ned’s friends and neighbours hatch a plan to ensure the money can be shared among the community. The new musical will be directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, whose Broadway credits include The Color Purple, Company and Sweeney Todd. Doyle said Hansard had been delighted that the production would begin its journey in Belfast. “I’m delighted that Waking Ned Devine is having its world premiere at the wonderful Lyric Theatre,” he said. Walking Ned Devine will come to the Lyric in February 2027. “Musicals are a long time in the making. Markéta and Glen built a terrific musical score and David Hein and I have worked closely to ensure that the story is touching, theatrical and, most importantly, fun. “I know Glen was so happy that our show was starting its journey in Belfast, and all I hope for now is that we do him proud.” Lyric Theatre executive producer Jimmy Fay said the venue was honoured to be working with producers Mary Beth O’Connor and Neil Gooding, Doyle, Irglová and writer David Hein on the project. Gilly Campbell, director of arts development at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, described the production as particularly poignant following Hansard’s death. “I know this fantastic team and cast will make this an unmissable and exceptional show for audiences to be a part of,” she said. Tickets for Waking Ned Devine will go on sale through the Lyric Theatre website at the end of September, with Lyric+ members receiving priority booking.