Magical, hilarious, and surprising—these are just some of the words audience members have used to describe Ennis Musical Society’s (MS) latest production.
Ennis MS members are flying high after a full run of sold-out shows for their 2025 production of The Witches of Eastwick. This year, the society took its annual performance to new heights by tackling what they describe as their ‘most technical show yet’.
Based on the novel by John Updike and the 1987 film of the same name, The Witches of Eastwick follows three small-town women—Alexandra, Jane, and Suki—who each long for excitement and romance in their lives. When the mysterious and charismatic Daryl Van Horne arrives in town, he unlocks their hidden powers, leading to a whirlwind of magic, mischief, and mayhem.
The musical starred Colm McGuinness as Daryl Van Horne, alongside Helen Ball, Olivia Parkinson, and Isadora Killeen as the three ‘witches’: Alexandra Spofford, Jane Smart, and Suki Rougemount.
The devilishly good show captivated audiences from the first night, featuring intricate set design, expertly crafted costumes, and exciting dance numbers.
Director Sarah Kenny shared how proud she was of the team’s achievement, saying:
“I’m so overwhelmed with the reaction and feedback from everyone who came to see the show. I’m so proud of every single person involved—I truly believe we created a show to be proud of!”
The cast and crew made Ennis MS history, with all four performances selling out before last Wednesday’s opening night. Just a week on from their debut on the glór stage, they’re still riding high on the success of their four-night run.
The society’s ambitious choice paid off not just on stage, but also in audience engagement. Ennis MS Chairwoman Ciara Lynch reflected on the response from the public:
“We are blown away by our audience’s reaction to our show. It’s the first time Ennis MS has taken on a show of this scale technically, and we are so delighted it was so well received and that we sold out before opening night! Having to turn away patrons because we sold out is a great feeling! Musical theatre is alive and well in Ennis.”
The buzz surrounding the show has extended beyond County Clare. Earlier this week, it was featured on the 2FM Breakfast Show with Roz, Carl and Aisling. During the segment, host Aisling Bonner shared her recent trip to Ennis to catch the much-anticipated performance.
“Women were flying on the stage in Ennis on Saturday night,” Bonner told co-hosts Roz Purcell and Carl Mullan. “They had people in harnesses flying on stage. I’ve never seen the likes of it in an amateur show. It was incredible.”
