MOSH by Rachel Ní Bhraonáin

“The five cast members (who are exceptional) explode onto the stage in a flurry of bodies, potent bursts of energy and passionate releases” ★★★★★ Irish Times

This is the thrill of fighting another human, without the fear. This is a dance, a gig, a theatrical shove into the heart of the pit. This is the meaning behind the chaos.

The Mad Bastards, The Pit Protectors, The Karate Choppers, The Bearded Beer Drinkers; everyone plays their part in this ritual of wild abandon.

Blending raucous dance, live music, interviews with real mosh pit devotees, and new writing, MOSH dives into the deeper meaning behind a misunderstood subculture. Is this violence or dancing? What are the rules? What do bacteria, birds, gas and moshers have in common? And why would anyone do this?

This is a show about a community connected through music and risk - a show with humour, heart and a hell of a lot of headbanging.

After an award-winning run at Dublin Fringe Festival 2023, MOSH heads out on a national tour across Ireland in 2025.

WINNER: Best Ensemble & Best Sound Design at Dublin Fringe Festival Awards 2023

“Their depictions, both in words and dance, are moving and, dare I say, romantic, entirely turning the genre on its head for anyone green with mosh immaturity.” ★★★★★ Irish Times

Rachel Ní Bhraonáin is an artist making multidisciplinary shows and short films from her hometown of Waterford, Ireland. With storytelling at its core, her work combines dance, writing and sometimes aerial, to create visually exciting and emotionally honest work. Rachel’s genre-resistant approach comes from her varied background as a performer on stage, on screen and on the sides of buildings. Rachel Ní Bhraonáin is the Dance Artist in Residence at Garter Lane Arts Centre. Her work (both independent and collaborative) has been presented across Ireland and the UK, including Norfolk & Norwich Festival, The Vaults London, Spraoi Street Arts Festival, Waterford, Dublin Fringe Festival, Live Collision International Festival and Dublin Theatre Festival+. Her short films have been screened at festivals including GAZE international LGBTQ+ Film Festival, IndieCork and InShadow, Lisbon.

Her stage show MOSH was nominated for five awards at Dublin Fringe Festival Awards 2023 and won Best Ensemble and Best Sound Design. Her 2019 show Losing Your Body was nominated for Best Movement Direction at the Irish Times Theatre awards along with several Dublin Fringe Festival nominations, winning the WildCard Award. Rachel has collaborated closely with Dance Artist Robyn Byrne since 2018 and continued that exciting relationship for MOSH. The show was made over the course of 3 years in close conversation with the design team, heavy metal fans, artists and the original team.

• Writer & Director Rachel Ní Bhraonáin
• Choreographer Robyn Byrne
• Performers Emily Kilkenny Roddy, Alex O’Neill, Ben Sullivan, Gerard Headley
• Musicians Cameron Macaulay, Karen Millar
• Sound Designer Richard Durning
• Composers Richard Durning & Joe Love
• Set & Costume Designer Ellen Kirk
• Lighting Designer John Gunning
• Creative Producer Tilly Taylor
• Production Manager Jack Leitch
• Stage Manager Lisa Barry
• Audio Engineer Éoin Murphy
• Chief LX Peter Bond
• Assistant Producer Róisín Harten

Tour and creation funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and supported by field:arts. MOSH was created with additional support from Waterford City & County Council, ArtLinks, Dance Cork Firkin Crane, and Garter Lane Arts Centre. Originally developed at the 8th PanPan International Mentorship and VISUAL Carlow.