“A loose narrative of sibling rivalry draws us in, but it is the use of music as a storytelling tool that makes Foley’s theatrical concept sing
★★★★”
“Like a musical written by Tenacious D and performed by the Marx Brothers, Tonic is a glorious car crash that loves to have fun, poke fun, and make fun
★★★★”
“Foley’s writing is witty and playful — tonic rhymes with moronic and iconic. Some cod trad songs are very funny. And The Night the Earth Died Screaming is a hit.”
Clip from performance at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, (2023)
Making of Tonic ‘Documentary’ Part I
Making of Tonic ‘Documentary’ Part II
A New medicine show written & composed by FIONN FOLEY.
A Rough Magic Theatre Company Production in association with the Solstice Arts Centre and supported by the Arts Council.
Performed from the 9th-11th August 2021 at Saint Kieran’s College, Kilkenny as part of Kilkenny Arts Festival and from 11th, 13th – 19th September in Dublin Castle as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival 2021. National Tour in 2023 with support from The Arts Council.
Irish National Tour 2023 at Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, 30th March-1st April, Theatre Royal, Waterford, 5th April, Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, 8th April and Backstae, Longford, 14TH April
IRISH TIMES THEATRE AWARDS NOMINEE 2022
It’s the year 2047 and the end is truly nigh, following a major tiff amongst the world’s superpowers. That is, until a miracle tonic is discovered – Halcyon – which promises to restore the mind and body to how they were during the good old days of the 2020s.
Charged with spreading the good news, the amazing Calibri Triplet Family Band embark on their most challenging touring schedules to date. Using only their charm, their music and notoriety they will show their adoring audiences how to take the doom out of their doomsday.
Over the course of an exhilarating trademark Calibri Family performance, you are invited to do what any reasonable person would do in the face of catastrophe and place your life in the hands of a three-piece folk band. Their message is simple- everyone must drink the tonic for it to be effective. There can be no exceptions.
Tonic is a spectacular new medicine show infused with a wild, genre-spanning live score and staged with dystopian panache. It’s the show that has everything you need to get over a life-altering cataclysm.
Directed by: Ronan Phelan
Written & Composed by: Fionn Foley
Cast: Roseanna Purcell, Ruth Smith & Fionn Foley
Set & Costume Design: Jack Scullion
Lighting Design: Eoin Winning
Marketing Consultant: Aileen Power
Graphic Design: Stuart Bradfield
Stage Manager: Zoë Reynolds
Assistant Stage Manager: Niamh Williamson
Sound Engineer: John Norton
Producer: Sara Cregan
Production Manager: Eoin Kilkenny
Production Photography: Ros Kavanagh