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Second Woman website
Cork Midsummer Festival and Cork Opera House present Nat Randall & Anna Breckon's

The Second Woman

starring Eileen Walsh

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  • Theatre
  • 24-Hour Event

One Woman. One Scene. One Hundred Times. One 24-Hour Performance - starring Eileen Walsh.

Your only chance to experience this unique and unmissable, theatrical marathon at Cork Opera House, 24 hours from 4pm Saturday 14 June – 4pm Sunday 15 June!

Eileen Walsh, one of Ireland’s most celebrated and recognised actors, will star in The Second Woman, an internationally acclaimed feat of thrilling theatre and live cinema.

Over 24 hours, 100 different men will star opposite Eileen Walsh, as she performs over and over a scene between a man and a woman in a relationship that has lost its creativity and romance. They talk, they laugh, it’s awkward, it’s funny. None of the 100 Marty’s will have rehearsed with Eileen Walsh’s Virginia prior to the performance and most of whom are non-actors.

There are three different types of tickets available for this performance, detailed below.

Inspired by John Cassavetes’ film Opening Night, created by an all-female team who capture and mix the action live from five simultaneously recording cameras. At the conclusion of each scene a decision must be made. The wait for what comes next becomes more addictive than any binge-worthy TV series.

Audiences can purchase tickets for the full 24 hours or join us at scheduled entry times throughout the performance – and stay for as long as they like until the performance ends at 4pm, Sunday 15 June. Food and drink will be available throughout the 24 hours at Cork Opera House

TICKETING INFORMATION

24-HOUR TICKETS
€55 (€45 concession) 4pm 14 June


This is your only way to guarantee access to the full 24-hour experience, from beginning to end.

  • Guaranteed entry at 4pm for the entire 24-hour experience.
  • 24-Hour Ticket holders are the only audience members who will get to experience the very start of the performance. The performance will start at 4pm sharp on Saturday 14 June.
  • Once seated, you can choose to stay for the full 24-hours. At very busy times, if you choose to leave the venue for an extended period of time, you may need to join the Priority Queue and wait for a seat in the auditorium to become available. (You will not need to pay again on re-entry)

SCHEDULED ENTRY TICKETS - scheduled entry times:
9pm 14 June - €35
2am 15 June - €20
9am 15 June - €35

This ticket gives you entry at the time stated on your ticket.

  • You can arrive 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled entry time on your ticket. On arrival, you can join the Priority Queue at your scheduled entry time. Latecomers will join the General Queue.
  • At very busy times, we cannot guarantee entry at your exact arrival time, but you will be admitted into the performance at the earliest available opportunity.
  • Once you are seated, you can choose to stay until the performance ends at 4pm on Sunday 15 June. At very busy times, if you choose to leave the venue for an extended period of time, you may need to join the General Queue and wait for a seat in the auditorium to become available. (You will not need to pay again on re-entry).
  • If you arrive after your scheduled entry time, you may need to join the General Queue and wait for a seat in the auditorium to become available.

ON-THE-DOOR TICKETS
€25 Peak (4pm–10pm Saturday 14 June / 10am–4pm Sunday 15 June)
€15 Off-Peak (10pm Saturday 14 June–10am Sunday 15 June)

Arrive at any point throughout the performance, join the General Queue and get entry to the show as soon as a seat becomes available.

  • On-The-Door tickets can be purchased in person at the venue box office any time throughout the 24-hour performance on a first-come, first-served basis. Simply show up, join our General Queue and wait for a seat to become available.
  • We cannot guarantee a specific entry time. You will be let in at the earliest available opportunity as a seat becomes available. Please note, anyone who has purchased a Scheduled Entry Time Ticket and is waiting in the Priority Queue, will be let in ahead of those waiting in the General Queue.
  • Once seated, you can choose to stay until the performance ends at 4pm on Sunday 15 June or leave whenever you wish. At very busy times, if you choose to leave the venue for an extended period of time, you may need to join the General Queue and wait for a seat in the auditorium to become available. (You will not need to pay again on re-entry).

ENTRY & QUEUEING
Priority Queue: For 24-Hour tickets and Scheduled Entry Time tickets at time shown on ticket

General Queue: On-The-Door tickets, and re-entry for Scheduled Entry Time tickets

ACCOMMODATION

Join us for the full The Second Woman experience by selecting your starting point now. Discounted rates are available at our accommodation partners Moxy Cork and Broga House for audiences attending The Second Woman on 14 June.

Add a taste of luxury - located across the bridge and just a couple minutes walk from our venue at Cork Opera House, Moxy Cork is the city's newest hotel. With chic rooms, a buzzing lobby bar, and bold design, it’s the perfect base for visitors. Sip cocktails, meet fellow 24-hour-theatre-goers, and enjoy easy access to Cork’s top sites.

Alternatively, rRight in the heart of Cork city you'll find Broga House - comfortable modern self-catering options available over the summer months. With ensuite rooms, shared kitchens, and a prime location just steps from the city’s shops, restaurants and nightlife, it’s an affordable, fuss-free option for summer stays in Cork.

Both locations are offering exclusive discounted rates for the night of 14 June to audiences attending The Second Woman - just book your tickets, and you'll receive information in your confirmation email on how to avail of these rates.

PRESS

"A spellbinding theatrical marathon"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Guardian

"Remarkable exposé of the art of acting"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Stage

"Utterly gripping and utterly wonderful ... I won't ever forget it"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WhatsOnStage

"A rich and revealing piece of drama"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Financial Times

Listen to star Eileen Walsh speak to RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor about The Second Woman:

Creators Nat Randall & Anna Breckon
Script & Direction Anna Breckon & Nat Randall
Video design
EO Gill & Anna Breckon
Lighting co-design
Amber Silk & Kayla Burrett & Lauren Woodhead
Sound design
Nina Buchanan
Set design
FUTURE METHOD STUDIO
Original hair & makeup design
Sophie Roberts
Producer & Tour Manager
Jenny Vila - La Mecànica

The Second Woman is presented at Cork Midsummer Festival with the additional support of The Tomar Trust and accommodation partners Moxy Cork. Please note seating is unreserved and the audience is free to move seats throughout the performance and enjoy the show from different angles. Suitable for ages 15+.

Book Now

  1. 14 — 15 June

  2. 4pm - 4pm

    €20 - €55 (entry slots available at different times)

  3. Cork Opera House View map
  4. 24 hours from 4pm, 14 June - 4pm, 15 June (entry slots available at different times)

    Sydney, Australia

"A spellbinding theatrical marathon"
The Guardian
"Remarkable exposé of the art of acting"
The Stage
"Utterly gripping and utterly wonderful ... I won't ever forget it"
WhatsOnStage
"A rich and revealing piece of drama"
Financial Times

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