MOSH

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.

With live music, real interviews, dance and text, five performers dive 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. This is a show with humour, heart and a whole lot of headbanging.

MOSH was presented at Dublin Fringe Festival 2023. It was nominated for Best Production, Best Lighting Design, The Beyond the Pale Award and WINNER of the BEST SOUND DESIGN and BEST ENSEMBLE Awards.

MOSH received a 5 star review from The Irish Times

“the five cast members (who are exceptional) explode on to the stage in a flurry of bodies, potent bursts of energy and passionate releases […] 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 […] The most powerful element of MOSH is difficult to decipher, such was the excellence across the board: lighting, sound, interviews with former moshers and, of course, the five dancers who take up the stage in ways both powerful and sexy. This is a show for anyone who has ever moshed and for those who haven’t. And, most of all, for anyone who has never understood the appeal of moving as one with thousands of others.”

★★★★★ Irish Times

And 4.5 stars from The Reviews Hub

MOSH is a very accomplished piece in two ways; the choreography is beautiful and engaging and interesting and conveys a range of emotions and moods – there is a lot of humour in the piece which is unexpected, but alongside this is the warm and loving spotlight that shines on a subculture, teasing out the many and varied personal and communal reasons for its existence. One can’t help but feel that many people in the audience leave the show wanting to engage in that subculture in some way, whether through actually partaking in it or simply by examining it, by thinking about how it would feel to be within it and viewing it with a new understanding of the intimacy and collectivity that is involved. A fantastic show.

Writer & Director: Rachel Ní Bhraonáin Creative Producer: Tilly Taylor Original Cast: Jack Bain, Emily Kilkenny Roddy, Alex O’Neill, Ben Sullivan, Toon Theunissen Choreographer: Robyn Byrne Sound Designer & Guitar: Richard Durning Composer & Drummer: Joe Love Set & Costume Designer: Ellen Kirk Lighting Designer: John Gunning Stage Manager: Lisa Barry Production Manager: Molly McAvoy Audio Engineer: Éoin Murphy Chief LX: Peter Bond