The world premiere of Moonlight: The Philip Lynott Enigma, a new musical about the Thin Lizzy front man, will premiere in Dublin next April.
Billed as an “expansive rock/theatre production that explores the early life of Philip Lynott”, the show stars Irish actor Peter M. Smith as the Dublin rocker, who passed away in 1986, and will also feature a cameo appearance by Thin Lizzy co-founder Eric Bell.
Smith has previously appeared in TV drama Who Is Erin Carter? and the 2014 movie Davin.
Moonlight was created by musicians and songwriters John Merrigan and Danielle Morgan and will feature a full cast and live band playing Thin Lizzy songs and all new original music.
It will be staged for the first time at Dublin venue Vicar Street Dublin, 3 April 2025.
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The synopsis for Moonlight says, “Philip Lynott would have been 75 years old on August 20th, 2024, had he won his battle with fame and fortune.
“He was a true innovator as a songwriter and showman who paved the way for a whole generation of musicians and bands around the world. He was complex, driven to overcome huge challenges as a young man and he was truly a poet at heart.
“We believe he deserves to be recognised in the pantheon of great Dublin writers, alongside Oscar Wilde, Brendan Behan and others.
Moonlight focuses on Lynott’s early years and the first phase of Thin Lizzy, covering the period in the late 1960s and early ’70s in Dublin and London.
Speaking about taking on the role of Lynott, Peter M. Smith said, “When offered the chance to play the role, I was truly honoured as an actor, as a proud Dubliner, and as a Thin Lizzy fanatic.
“Too much has been said about the rockstar lifestyle – it is a tired subject. This production seeks to honour Philip Lynott for what he was – a literary great and consummate artist.”
In a statement, John Merrigan and Danielle Morgan said, “We explore his character in depth and authentically – it’s time to move beyond the headlines and cliches. This is an honour piece, telling the less well-known side of Lynott’s story – honestly and powerfully.
“In the research, we have had numerous meetings and discussions with Lynott’s contemporaries – people who were “in the room” at key moments of the story who have generously shared their time and encouragement.”
Moonlight premieres at Vicar Street, Dublin on 3 April, with tickets priced €39.20 on sale now through Ticketmaster.ie.
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