RAVE AS RESISTANCE: BPM (Barneys, Parties & Melters), Brings the Pulse of 90’s Northern Ireland to the Brian Friel Theatre Belfast, Marketplace Theatre Armagh & Playhouse Theatre Derry *** NEXT WEEK ***
RAVE AS RESISTANCE: BPM (Barneys, Parties & Melters), Brings the Pulse of 90’s Northern Ireland to the Brian Friel Theatre Belfast, Marketplace Theatre Armagh & Playhouse Theatre Derry
*** NEXT WEEK ***
Thursday 11th June Brian Friel Theatre @ Queen's Film Theatre, BELFAST
Friday 12th June Marketplace Theatre, ARMAGH
Saturday 20th June Playhouse Theatre, DERRY
Get your tickets booked for this dance theatre extravaganza!
The decade spanning 1990 to 2000 was an incredible 10 years in Northern Ireland's history, leading us toward peace. But alongside the politics, there was another story: the rave revolution exploded across NI, and maybe—just maybe—it paved its own path to peace.
Come watch BPM tell a unique story of how the rave generation lost it all on the dance floor, set against the backdrop of a changing political landscape.
Set right inside the BPM club, you’ll get up close with the performers. (Don't worry, there's no forced audience participation—but if you want to have a boogie, you are more than welcome!)
BELFAST — Step out of the conflict and into the sweat-soaked sanctuary of the underground. OTR and acclaimed choreographer Eileen McClory present BPM, a visceral collision of contemporary dance and a thumping DJ set that resurrects the era-defining spirit of the acid house generation.
At the height of the Troubles, the dance floor offered a radical alternative to the streets. It was a neutral ground where political and religious divisions dissolved into a sea of thumping basslines. BPM isn’t just a show; it’s a full-scale immersive nightclub experience that honours the generation that danced their way to peace..
The Experience …
Forget the traditional theatre seat. Attendees are invited to step directly into the BPM Club, a standing-only environment where the boundary between cast and audience vanishes. Featuring high-octane choreography and a soundtrack of old-school bangers, this is a ritual of rebellion and pure human connection.
If you spent your nights at The Arena, LUSH, Sugar Sweet, or The Gweedore, this is your homecoming.
"BPM captures that lightning-in-a-bottle moment when the music was louder than the noise outside. This is a tribute to the rave generation—before phones, before social media—who came purely to dance, to sweat, and to lose themselves in the darkness. It’s physical, it’s loud, and it’s a celebration of those unforgettable nights where the only thing that mattered was the beat." — Eileen McClory, Choreographer/Director
Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer for Drama and Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is thrilled to support this innovative, immersive dance production from acclaimed Belfast choreographer, Eileen McClory, thanks to the National Lottery players. It is terrific that this production will be presented in Belfast, Armagh and Derry~Londonderry, helping to diversify audiences, inspire and bring great art to everyone.”
Supported by: Arts Council Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council and Queens University Belfast, The Playhouse Derry and Armagh Marketplace Theatre.
Event Information
Tour Dates:
BRIAN FRIEL THEATRE, QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST
Thursday 11th June @ 7.30pm
MARKETPLACE THEATRE, ARMAGH
Friday 12th June @ 7.30pm
THE PLAYHOUSE, DERRY
Saturday 20th June
Tickets from Playhouse https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/bpm
• The Show: A 60-minute immersive performance. Comfortable footwear is highly recommended.
• The After-Party: Your ticket includes "Bonus Extra Time." Stay for a curated 45-minute DJ set immediately following the performance to grab a drink and keep the energy moving.
Production Credits
• Concept & Direction: Eileen McClory
• Dancers: Gerard Headley, Rosie Mullin, Saoirse O’Kane, Ryan O’Neill & Adam O’Reilly
• Music: Featuring tracks by Orbital, Da Hool, Mauro Picotto, and System F.
• Sound Design: Isaac Gibson | Lighting Design: Mary Tumelty
• Produced: Venus Rising Productions (Clare Hall)
• Supported by: Arts Council Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Queen’s University Belfast, and The MAC.
Important Notes for Attendees
BPM is a high-energy environment featuring strobe lighting, haze, and high-volumemusic. While celebrating the "Rave Generation," the performance includes choreographed scenes depicting the sectarian divisions of the era.
Accessible seats are available, please let the venue know in advance.
Tickets are on sale now. Come prepared to move!
Media Contact:
Name: Anita Gibney
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone Number: 07802 700512
Insta @otrdance
BIO’s Creative Team:
Creator: EILEEN McCLORY
A recipient of the Arts Council Northern Ireland Major Individual Award Artist 2022, the highest value honour bestowed on artists in Northern Ireland, the inaugural Belfast City Council Artist Bursary 2021, and Belfast International Arts Festival Artist in Residence 2020/22. Eileen is a dance artist fascinated by the potential of creating experimental, original, and innovative work through collaborative interactions with different practices in arts and media.
Leading a diverse range of choreographic commissions, including Quotidian: Word on the Street’s, award winning dance film BIND 2021, Maiden Voyage Dance Company’s film installation Epilogue 2021 and BRINK 2020, TURF, Playhouse, Derry 2018, and Tinderbox Theatre Company’s CUCK 2017.
As the artistic director of Off the Rails Dance, Eileen has choreographed and produced BPM touring June 2026, ROOTS, commissioned by BELFAST 2024, GUTTER 2023, The Dutiful Wife 2016, and S(3)nsored 2011. Her residencies include CCN2 Grenoble in 2021, Creative Europe/Galway Theatre Festival’s Make-a-Move: Incubator Lab in Galway 2018, Dansmakers Amsterdam in 2016, and HATCH Artist at The MAC Belfast in 2013/14. In 2020, Eileen completed an MA in Contemporary Performance Practice from Ulster University with Distinction.
Sound: ISSAC GIBSON
Isaac Gibson is an award-winning Northern Irish DJ, producer, and sound designer with over ten years of experience in the music industry. Recently, he completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the School of Arts, English, and Languages at Queen's University Belfast, specialising in Music Technology, Socially Engaged Sonic Arts, and Sound Design. In recent years, he has composed the music and sound for numerous short films and theatrical productions showcased at various institutions across Europe.
Dancers
RYAN O’NEILL
Ryan achieved a first class honours degree in Dance from the Ulster University and studied his Masters in Dance Performance at Laban as part of a professional post graduate company Transitions.
Since then Ryan has worked with Maiden Voyage Dance, Off The Rails, ponydance, Tinderbox, Oona Doherty Works (NI) Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Junk Ensemble, Panpan, Company Philip Connaughton, Coisceim, Liz Roche Company (IRL) Gwyn Emberton Dance (UK) and Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More in Shanghai.
In 2011 Ryan was selected by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to meet Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham palace for recognition of his achievements as a young person in the Arts. Ryan is also a qualified Ashtanga Yoga teacher.
GERARD HEADLEY
Gerard is an actor and physical theatre artist from Belfast.
Gerard us currently playing the leading role in Bruiser Theatre Company’s theatre production ‘The Boy Who Kicked Pigs,’ which is currently touring Ireland. He has just completed a development week with Bru Theatre in Galway on their movement piece, ‘Scothscéalta.’
He trained at the YOUTH LYRIC in Belfast and at the NORTHERN SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE in Leeds.
Gerard has just completed two interntational tours: SPECKY CLARK, a heavily scripted physical theatre show, by Irish theatre maker Oona Doherty; and his second show, MOSH, by Irish theatre maker Rachel Ní Bhraonáin.
Gerard performed in EUGENE ONEGIN with Northern Ireland Opera.
ROSIE MULLIN
Rosie has been an integral part of the Northern Ireland dance community since 2013, creatively contributing to performances with Maiden Voyage Dance, Off The Rails (OTR), Northern Attitudes and OD Works.
As a performer, Rosie has worked closely with Eileen McClory, director of OTR, most recently performing in ROOTS; an ambitious and immersive outdoor piece. She had her debut performance with Irish Modern Dance Theatre in 2024, performing HYPERPHYSICAL as part of Dublin Fringe Festival. In 2023, as part of the Belfast Children’s Festival, she performed Haiku with Maiden Voyage Dance.
Rosie has collaborated with renowned choreographer Oona Doherty, serving as rehearsal director for Hard to Be Soft: A Belfast Prayer and as an associate artist on the Sky Arts documentary Fly the Flag for Human Rights. Since 2023,
Rosie has received three dance residencies from Galway Dance Project and Shawbrook Dance. In 2024, Rosie was recipient of a Dance Bursary from the Irish Arts Council. This bursary and residencies have provided her with the space to curate her artist voice, experiment with new concepts, and deepen her exploration of movement.
Rosie’s dance practice is grounded in a belief that movement is a powerful tool for connection and she is passionate about bringing new, diverse voices into the conversation about what is the role of dance and movement art in our society.
SAOIRSE LAMBKIN O’KANE
Saoirse Lambkin O’Kane is a dancer from Dublin. She received her training from Fontys Academy of the Arts in Tilburg, where she graduated with a bachelor in contemporary dance in 2022.
Since graduating, Saoirse has enjoyed working and performing widely in Ireland and the Netherlands. Most recently, she spent two seasons as a company member with LeineRoebana in Amsterdam, touring throughout the Netherlands and abroad with their work.
ADAM O’REILLY
Adam O’Reilly is a 26 year old Dublin based Dance Artist, his work spread's across live performance, choreography, screen-dance and facilitation.
Adam has most notably performed in the Dublin Theatre Festival 2023 production of ‘This Solution’ Directed by Shaun Dunne & Claire O’Reilly and Choreographed by Jessie Thompson, The Step up 2024/ Dance Limerick production of ‘Of The People’ Choreographed by Catherine Young, The Irish Modern Dance Theatre production of 'Begin Anywhere' choreographed by John Scott, And the 2025 national tour of 'MOSH' directed by Rachel Ní Bhraonáin and directed by Robyn Byrne.
In 2023 Adam presented his debut screen-dance work, a short dance film titled 'Oscillation' at 5 Lamps Arts Festival & Dance From The Dance Festival at the Irish Film Institute and is currently advancing his practice as a screen-dance director via his selection in the Youth Music Video Competition 2025, supported by Screen Ireland and The Arts Council. As the Founder and Artistic Director of COMHAR Dance, Adam has facilitated the COMHAR Workshop Day Intensive series 2025 in partnership with Dance Ireland, which sees international dance artists lead.
BRIAN FRIEL THEATRE, QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST
Thursday 11th June @ 7.30pm
MARKETPLACE THEATRE, ARMAGH
Friday 12th June @ 7.30pm
THE PLAYHOUSE, DERRY
Saturday 20th June
Tickets from Playhouse https://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/bpm
For Further Information & Interview Requests Contact:
Anita Gibney
M. 07802 700512