RISING: a new Irish musical

About the show

To lead a nation, he must face himself.

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.

RISING is the latest new musical by Tasker & McGrath. Their previous work The Queen is Mad had a five-star run at Edinburgh Fringe 2025; it was named one of Elaine Paige’s Fringe Picks (BBC Radio 2) and won a Special Commendation Award from Musical Theatre Review.

Presented by Pinecone Performance Lab in association with the Irish Creative Collective, this concert reading takes place on 24th April 2026 to mark the 110th anniversary of the Rising.

Creative Team

Tom James McGrath – music, book & lyrics, musical director

Amy Clare Tasker – book & lyrics, director