Elsewhere is a new opera by Michael Gallen based on the astounding true story of the 1919 Monaghan Asylum Soviet, when the staff and patients of a rural Irish asylum barricaded themselves in and declared independence, imagining a new, inclusive way of living.

Described by the Irish Times as “an extraordinary, shocking, funny, and, ultimately, moving piece of contemporary theatre,” Elsewhere is ground breaking in form, merging opera, theatre and metatheatre to plunge audiences into a riotous battle between order and chaos. Dealing with themes of freedom, mental illness and radical care, the show ultimately asks what we have lost in marginalising the most unique and vulnerable voices in our society. 

Elsewhere premiered at the Abbey Theatre in November 2021 to enormous critical and public acclaim, and has been nominated for the Fedora Prize and for Best Opera at the Irish Theatre Award. The opera is produced by Monaghan-based production company Straymaker in association with the Abbey Theatre, Miroirs Étendus and Once Off Productions. The Opera will be touring Ireland shortly. 

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