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theatre · Thursday 20 August 2026 · 8:00pm 
Hadestown
At Wexford Arts Centre Theatre · Cornmarket, Wexford, Co. Wexford
At Wexford Arts Centre Theatre · Cornmarket, Wexford, Co. Wexford
A Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical comes to one of Ireland’s most intimate and characterful theatre spaces for three nights in August 2026. Hadestown, written by American singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, retells the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice but plants it firmly in a blues-soaked industrial underworld ruled by Hades. It picked up eight Tony Awards on Broadway, including Best Musical, and has been playing London’s West End for several years. Seeing it at the Wexford Arts Centre Theatre - a 120-seat neoclassical hall built in 1776 - puts you much closer to the action than any large touring house ever could. If you have been meaning to see it in London or are waiting for the first UK and Ireland tour in 2027, this run is a rare chance to catch it on a smaller stage.
The story weaves together two love stories: the young poet Orpheus trying to rescue Eurydice from Hadestown, and the strained marriage of Hades and Persephone. Mitchell’s score draws on folk, blues, jazz and New Orleans brass, so the music itself carries a lot of emotional weight. The show has a reputation for being genuinely moving - the final act lands hard even on a second viewing. In a 120-seat theatre with no bad seats, the performances register in a way that gets lost in larger venues. Bring a tissue if you are at all susceptible. The run covers three consecutive evenings, so you have flexibility on which night suits.
Wexford town is roughly two hours south of Dublin by road via the M11 and N11, and about 45 minutes from Rosslare. The Arts Centre sits on Cornmarket in the town centre, a short walk from most of the main car parks. The nearest public car park is on Redmond Place, a few minutes on foot. By train, Irish Rail runs regular services from Dublin Connolly and Heuston to Wexford station, with the Arts Centre an easy 10-minute walk through the town. Bus Éireann coaches also connect Wexford to Dublin, Waterford and Kilkenny several times daily.
Wexford town is worth an evening in itself - the medieval street pattern is still readable, the quayside has a good stretch of cafes and restaurants, and there are pubs with live traditional music on most nights. There is more to see in Wexford and across Co. Wexford.
Heading to Wexford Arts Centre Theatre in Wexford? Wexford has plenty more to see. Read the Wexford area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.