RSVP Ireland
Creating unforgettable moments
RSVP Presents...
Three plays at Kinsale Arts Weekend 2020
6 Minutes to Wonderland – A Philosophical Comedy
Opening the RSVP Drive-in Theatre experience is 6 Minutes to Wonderland, a brand-new comedy that invites the audience into a whirlwind of philosophical musings and quirky encounters. Written and directed by Yvonne Coughlan, this world premiere introduces us to Jacob and Stephanie, played by Tadhg O’Rourke and Saoirse Wadding-Hayes, the duo’s on-stage chemistry is particularly remarkable given that their entire rehearsal process took place over Zoom. O’Rourke, fresh from the screen acting world, and Wadding-Hayes, a seasoned performer across Ireland and the UK, create a dynamic interplay that leaves audiences entertained and perhaps questioning their own path to Wonderland. Their quick wit and lively exchanges promise a performance that will amuse, perplex, and ultimately delight viewers tuning in from their car radios.
Unfinished Portrait – A Tale of Passion and Longing
The night’s second act shifts to the depths of love and loss with Unfinished Portrait. Having first captivated audiences at Cork Arts Theatre, this emotionally charged drama returns home under the direction of its original creator, Yvonne Coughlan. Giselle and Solomon, played by the electrifying duo of Caoilfhionn McDonnell and Stephen Wyley, take the audience through a journey of love’s complexities, past regrets, and the struggle to move forward. McDonnell, a standout talent from Kinsale’s Rampart Players and a Gaiety School of Acting graduate, brings a powerful intensity to Giselle, while Wyley, a longtime RSVP favorite, matches her energy with depth and nuance. Their performances are rich with tension, vulnerability, and moments of comedic respite, making Unfinished Portrait a gripping exploration of love’s unfinished business.
With Love… – A Riotous Finale
Closing the RSVP showcase on a high-energy note is the uproarious and heartwarming monologue With Love…. Delivered with unrelenting charisma by Noelle Ní Ríagáin, this solo performance captures the essence of resilience, humour, and hope. Ní Ríagáin, known for her striking performance on Britain’s Got Talent and extensive training in clown and physical theatre, brings an infectious energy that guarantees laughter and inspiration. This piece is a testament to the power of theatre to uplift and connect, even in the most uncertain times. A perfect ending to the night, With Love… ensures that audiences leave exhilarated, smiling, and perhaps even ready to dance in their seats.
A Theatrical Experience Like No Other
Bringing theatre to audiences in a way that adheres to safety guidelines without compromising on excitement, RSVP’s Drive-in Theatre at Kinsale Arts Weekend is an innovative response to the times. With the guidance of Art Director Liz Lynch and the dedication of producer Carol McNamara, every detail is thoughtfully crafted to create an unforgettable experience. Audiences can expect not just a night of exceptional theatre but also a celebration of the resilience of the arts.
A unique and intimate way to engage with live performance. Arrive early, park up, tune in for audio on your car radio, and let RSVP transport you through laughter, passion, and joy under the open Kinsale sky.
Written and Directed by Yvonne Coughlan
Theatre Samples...
Passionate about film production, community events, arts participation and youth theatre, RSVP Ireland is a dynamic company dedicated to bringing creativity to life and joy into our lives.
"I would have no hesitation in recommending RSVP for their drive, their enthusiasm and their professionalism."
Maurice Seezer. Film Composer. Artistic Director and Chair of Fastnet film festival.
"It was perhaps the most powerful theater piece I have ever seen, I will not forget it."
Tom Campbell artist. TomCampbellArt.com
"It was a joy to work with Yvonne"
Bibi Baskin. Wellness consultant. Motivational speaker. TV presenter.
"Outstanding production."
Dermot Ryan. Southern Star.
"The script by Red Sandstone Varied Production's Yvonne Coughlan was excellent."
Frank Hanover. Evening Echo.
"Yvonne was able to create a magical work of theatre... her work transcended culture and language affecting many who saw and experienced it."
Cork arts theatre.
Visit our Testimonials page for more
Information for Foreigners (2003)
By Griselda Gambaro | Directed by Yvonne Coughlan
Granary Theatre, UCC (Master’s Project)
A practical Master’s thesis production exploring Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty. This large-scale immersive performance featured 40 actors, 20 crew, and 13 unique stages, guiding audiences through politically charged scenes. Four audience groups navigated the play simultaneously, experiencing Gambaro’s vision of fragmented and controlled storytelling. Yvonne integrated workshop techniques inspired by Stanislavsky, Meyerhold, Brecht, Chekhov, Brook, and Grotowski, training a diverse cast of professional, amateur, and first-time performers.
UCC Library Catalogue: link
The Haunted History Tour (2006-2007)
Written & Directed by Yvonne Coughlan | Cork City Gaol
A 90-minute site-specific promenade performance with ten actors, immersing audiences in the eerie past of Cork City Gaol. Upon entering, audience members were treated as prisoners, divided into groups by warders, and led through a vivid reimagining of 18th-century prison life. The script, rich in historical detail, brought to life the suffering and supernatural lore of the Gaol.
▶ "An impressive cast... a script full of historical erudition... a howling, murderous, and haunted atmosphere... a must-see." — Evening Echo, Feb 2007
The Clock Gate Tower Hangings (2007)
Written & Directed by Yvonne Coughlan | Youghal Medieval Festival
A historically inspired performance depicting the events of 1797. This 30-minute scripted piece, followed by 90 minutes of improvisation, unfolded in the town garden with six actors portraying figures from Youghal’s past. Audiences witnessed the harrowing fates of those sentenced to death in the Clock Gate Tower, engaging with the living history of the town.
Culture Night Performances
The Energy of Life (2009) – Lifetime Lab, Cork
The River of Imagination (2010) – Lifetime Lab, Cork
A series of interactive, site-specific performances celebrating creativity, community, and the natural world.
Lady of the Castle (2011)
Devised & Directed by Yvonne Coughlan | Blackrock Castle Observatory
An animated tour bringing the myths and mysteries of Blackrock Castle to life. Audiences encountered spectral figures and historical echoes as they navigated the castle’s chambers in this immersive storytelling experience.
Irish HeARTS (2013-2014)
A promenade theatre and art installation series | The Gathering RSVP
An ambitious multidisciplinary project combining performance, international collaborations in visual art, and storytelling to celebrate Irish identity and culture. Final performance Kinsale, Co. Cork.
FAST: Freelance Acting, Singing, Troupe (2016-2018)
A collaborative performance initiative fostering new work and creative exploration.
Notable Works:
A Forest Full of Frolics (2016) – Townlands Festival
Frolics in the Wood (2016) – Culture Night
Seasonal Productions
The Magic of Santa (2017) – Fota (A Victorian Christmas Experience)
The Wizard in the Woods (2018) – A magical promenade theatre adventure
Yvonne Coughlan continues to innovate in promenade and immersive theatre, blending historical narratives, interactive storytelling, and community engagement in her artistic practice.
PROMENADE PERFORMANCES
Previously Commissioned Promenade Work Samples
The Easter Trail – Fota House & Gardens (2018) IMAGE
Embark on a magical family adventure as you follow the Easter Trail through Fota House & Gardens. Along the route, meet enchanting characters from The Wizard of the Woods, a captivating tale by Yvonne Coughlan.
The Magic of Santa – A Victorian Christmas Carol (2017) IMAGE
Step into a festive wonderland at Fota House, where your family will journey from room to room, meeting beloved characters inspired by the story of Scrooge. This immersive experience culminates in a special visit to Santa himself.
Sir John Benson Youth Theatre Project (2012) DOCUMENTATION REEL
A creative youth theatre initiative hosted at Lifetime Lab, supported by Cork City Council Heritage Funding, celebrating the legacy of Sir John Benson through performance and storytelling.
Animated Tours – Blackrock Castle Observatory (2011) ASSOCIATE BLOG
Discover the secrets of Blackrock Castle with The Lady of the Castle, a spellbinding animated tour experience developed in partnership with Fáilte Ireland..
Special thanks: DOP Maurice Supple. Editor David Leen. Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance. All the Cast and Crew!
Especially the Vocalists, Emma Langford, Ger O’Hanlon, Lisa Curran, Molly Lynch, Rebecca Houlihan, Stephen Gormley, Caroline Kay and Mark Daly.
Embrace the World by Kevin Walsh - Award winning Music Video
Kevin's single reached No. 1 on release
Now the music video is winning awards:
BEST DRAMA!
Rome Music Video Awards
Best Female Director: Yvonne Coughlan
Although the song is produced in a multi-vocal construct, Kevin's solo performance on the Six O’Clock Show (Virgin Media) and at the Aviva Stadium for key Irish autism advocates including Adam Harris, Stefanie Preissner and Dervla Burke, began its journey to the public.
Described by MusicNGear as “soaring and symphonic”, the supergroup arrangement features vocal styles such as folk, hard rock and musical theatre, which in Kevin’s words “is designed to aurally reflect the spectrum of Autism as a diagnosis.”
Award winning film productions
Award winning unproduced script REGRET!
"My hope for the story of this script is that it finds its way to someone, who hears its message in time to act on it, hence causing them to create a better life for themselves. That must surely be the grandest of all hopes for the writer, but I have no regrets in stating such lofty ideals."
- Yvonne Coughlan
Regret is an award winning unproduced short film screenplay written by Yvonne Coughlan in response to an idea by her great friend and film making colleague Maurice Supple.
Award winning short film An Étude in Art!
"Our film goes out in the continued support of 'Cork Samaritans', with our hopes that someone who needs to, will see it at the right time, and make that call. Art is an exploration of life, just as this creator's life is an exploration of art.’ Yvonne Coughlan
Pink Lady by Mary Cooke appeared at the County Hall for The Vagina Monologues directed by Yvonne Coughlan 2009; Blue to Pink was written during The Gathering RSVP in 2013.
