Limerick Youth Theatre and AVISTA bring The Creative Show 2026 ‘A Night at the Theatre’ to Belltable, March 26 and 27

The Creative Show 2026 involves school choirs, arts organisations and independent practitioners, this family friendly variety show incorporates live performances and short films

Limerick Youth Theatre (LYT) and AVISTA have worked tirelessly to stage The Creative Show 2026 working with hundreds of singers, dancers, musicians and actors

The Creative Show 2026 presents A Night at the Theatre on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March 2026 in Belltable at 7.30pm. This will be the fourteenth Creative Show and they are delighted to be back at Belltable after a sold out show in previous years. Limerick Youth Theatre (LYT) and AVISTA have worked tirelessly to stage The Creative Show 2026. Writing a new script from scratch, working with hundreds of singers, dancers, musicians and actors involving school choirs, arts organisations and independent practitioners, this family friendly variety show incorporates live performances and short films. It takes three months of laughter, sweat and tears to make The Creative Show happen and what is truly remarkable about the collaboration is its ability to bring out the best in all who participate. 

It is the midnight hour in an empty theatre. But all is not quiet! Theatrical ghosts come to life and recreate their most famous performances as well as the backstage battles that have happened over the past 1000 years. Sophocles argues with Shakespeare, pantomime dames and opera singers are at each other’s throats. Actors and actresses bring up old rivalries. As the saying goes “All the world’s a stage!”.

Angie Smalis, Artistic Director of LYT said, “The Creative Show has become the highlight of LYT’s yearly programming. I am privileged to be able to co-produce this innovative and inclusive project and be part of the creative process by choreographing its dance elements. It is a hands-on process and we all learn from each other. Not only has the professional team been focusing on creating and presenting artistic work, they have been extremely generous sharing their knowledge, expertise and resources.”

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She added, “… A Night at the Theatre  is my fourteenth personal reminder of why I chose a career in the performing arts and I feel privileged to be able to witness the personal growth of everyone involved, the lifelong friendships that are developed and the enhanced quality of life that results from being part of an artistic family. The Creative Show is much more than a performance; it is an opportunity to fit in and to belong! We all look forward to welcoming you to Belltable and we hope that you will dance and sing along!”

Michael Hunt, TEES Day Services Manager, AVISTA said, “This marvellous show A Night at the Theatre is a highlight of the calendar for the individuals we support in the Avista Training, Enterprise and Employment Services. It is a fantastic opportunity for each participant to be actively involved in a creative and inclusive venture. This is the fourteenth Creative Show, and it continues to thrive. This year also sees the 100^th Avista Centenary being celebrated.  A hundred years of service where the ethos of creativity and excellence continue to thrive in this artistic endeavour that is enjoyed by all. Everybody’s commitment to the process is highly commended. Limerick Youth Theatre production team and crew are fantastic in nurturing talent and confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Each individual participating is flourishing in this production and in a great atmosphere of artistic connection and belonging. We all are looking forward to performing and welcoming you to Belltable.”

TICKETS

The Creative Show presents A Night at the Theatre

Shows: Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March 2026 @ 7.30pm  

Venue: Belltable

Ticket:  €15

Concessions: €12 for under 18s

Box Office: 061 953 400/www.limetreebelltable.ie

Creative Team

Myles Breen, Angie Smalis, Dominik Kosicki, Kerrie Ahern, Francesca Walshe, Andy Connolly, Cormac O’Mahony, John Hogan, Eloise Hickey, Orestis Smalis, Alina O’Shaughnessy, Lorna Ní Bhroin, Louise Burke, Suzanne O’Connor, Cillian Murphy, Elli Smalis

For more information, please see www.lyt.ie 

Who are the performing groups?

AVISTA (formerly known as The Daughters of Charity Service) was the first to establish day services in Limerick City for adults with intellectual disabilities. The goal of each centre, in keeping with HSE New Directions, is through a person centred approach in supporting the holistic development of each individual. The overall aim of this collaboration is to develop sustainable networks and build links in the individual’s local community. The first strand of this collaboration was achieved by introducing individual’s from Avista to LYT members and creating an environment that nurtured inclusion through a rich tradition of theatre and its contemporary practices.  The second strand was establishing a culture of working in tandem with like-minded people from all backgrounds, crossing social and cultural divides, sharing ideas, and building friendships.

Limerick Youth Theatre (LYT) is a company of young performers, dancers, writers, designers, directors, producers and film-makers, located in Limerick. LYT was set up in 1997 with a vision of providing a unique opportunity for young people from all backgrounds to cross social/cultural divides through youth drama experiences. It runs a two-year training course in theatre and performing arts.

Music Generation (Limerick City) Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that transforms the lives of children and young people through access to high quality performance music education in their locality. Through partnership, we create rich and diverse ways for participants to engage in vocal and instrumental tuition delivered by skilled professional musicians, across all musical genres and styles. Initiated by Music Network, Music Generation is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships.

Ardscoil Rís  A holistic education is the core principle of life in Ardscoil Rís where the highest of academic expectations are balanced with a broad co- and extra-curricular programme for our students. As befits a Christian Brothers’ school, under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST), a strong Christian ethos is central to life here in Ardscoil Rís. We strive to have the values of the Edmund Rice tradition fully realised in our students, as they journey towards independence and finding their place in society as fully-rounded young men.

Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ Formerly known as Laurel Hill Convent, is an Irish Roman Catholic secondary school for girls, situated in Limerick. The aim of our school is to co-operate with parents in fostering the full and balanced development of the girls entrusted to our care so that each one may realise and bring to fulfilment her own special talents and unique personality.

Thomond Community College Established in 2016 under the trusteeship of the Limerick and Clare Education & Training Board. Thomond Community College is a multi-denominational, co-educational school and is an Amalgamation of the Salesian Secondary School, established in 1955 and St. Nessan’s Community College, established in 1978. Thomond Community College is a Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board multidenominational and co- educational post-primary school.