Inspired by time in Irish history when Irish boys wore dresses to confuse the fairies, this immersive performance channels Irish mythology to explore identity, gender and power...
When the email went around asking who wanted to review The Poitín Maker’s Child, a new play from Shane Gabriel, I did wonder how many at LeftLion would be familiar with poitín - let alone have a ‘sort of’ legal bottle of it in their cupboards. I come from a long line of Poitín makers, so I volunteered the wife and I.
If I’m truly honest, it was more than just the Poitín reference that got me. I was intrigued by a blend of two things I love: Irish culture and drag. The play, which was inspired by a history where Irish boys wore linen dresses to confuse the fairies, hit close to home….my own in West Cork.
I grew up with tales of Sióg (fairy), Selkies, Tír na nÓg, Bhean Sí (banshee) and changelings. It is wild to me that more drag and folklore aren’t mixed, given the absolute gender bending in Irish myth. After all, Irish folklore believed in dressing little boys in skirts or as girls to stop them from being stolen by fairies.
I have to say, the set design immediately caught my attention as I spotted GAA jerseys and Ireland’s Own tea towels hanging from a string across the stage. From behind a lone umbrella centre stage, writer, creator, and producer of the show, Shane emerges to start the story about his family, folklore and his brother, Finn. I was reminded not once, but a few times, of Panti Bliss, a drag queen from Dublin. Possibly, the highest compliment I can give someone in my eyes.
We have a long history of storytelling in Ireland that, when done right, will leave you absolutely gripped. This is exactly what happened here as we listened to a story that transported us back to a rural cottage, somewhere in Ireland.
We were given chants, hymns, and recipes for ginger beards
We were pre-warned that this was an immersive theatre, so I sat a seat or two back for fear of what that could mean. In reality, it did mean that I was in the perfect seat to reach out and grab a packet of sacred pom bears that were thrown into the audience for us. Result! We were asked to write our guilty pleasures on a paper tag. My mind instantly went blank, which is surprisingly given I was raised Irish catholic, which means monthly confession. You think I’d be expert-level at confession by now.
There wasn’t a whisper in the crowd during the storytelling until it was encouraged. We were given chants, hymns, and recipes for ginger beards, and we were encouraged to wear the paper bag of shame on our heads. All to the sounds of live music by Joe Lammond. All this amid the set design that added an otherworldly feel to it, which was perfect for casting us deep into the story.
The story, while gripping, was also incredibly emotional. I noted more than one person sobbing at the end, and if I’m honest, I was biting back a few tears myself. I think, as an Irish non-binary, queer person, I felt more than a bit seen by this.
A must-see for lovers of drag, theatre, cabaret, storytelling, pom bears and the Irish or Irish adjacent. The curious story, gripping storytelling, immersive design of the show allows you to get truly lost within it.
This has the feel of a play that could be enjoyed by literally anyone, but celebrated by those of us who miss home.
The Poitín Maker’s Child appeared at Lakeside Arts on Friday September 26, 2025.
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