A new musical adaptation of the 1998 film Waking Ned Devine will have its world premiere at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast in February 2027. The production features music by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, known for their work on Once.

The forthcoming musical Waking Ned Devine, adapted from Kirk Jones’s 1998 film, is set to open at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast, in early 2027. The show centres on Ned Devine, a small Irish village resident who unexpectedly wins a lottery fortune, and the community’s reaction to this sudden change.

Music and lyrics are by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, the creative duo behind the celebrated musical Once, which premiered in New York in 2011 before transferring to both the West End and Broadway. The book is written by David Hein and the direction is by Tony Award-winner John Doyle.

The musical has been in development for over a year, with Hansard and Irglová collaborating closely alongside the creative team. Despite Hansard’s death earlier this summer, the Lyric Theatre, Waking Ned Devine LLC, and the production team have confirmed they will proceed with the project.

Hansard was reportedly enthusiastic about starting the show’s journey in Belfast, and the team remains committed to realising the musical in his memory. Further casting and production details are due to be announced.

Tickets for the musical will go on sale at the end of September, with priority booking available for Lyric+ members. The Lyric Theatre will host the production for its initial run beginning February 2027.

This will mark the duo’s first full-scale musical since Once, spotlighting a story deeply embedded in Irish culture and community dynamics.