Fionn gets the Giggler Treatment!

Running currently at The Ark in Dublin, is 'The Giggler Treatment', a "marvellous, mischievous" new musical for ages four up, based on the novel by Roddy Doyle, and written and composed by Fionn Foley from Dunshaughlin.

This Ark commission, directed by Sophie Motley, is part of the ongoing work of the children’s cultural centre in commissioning, producing and presenting work for children, and this adaptation of the much-loved novel is teeming with Dublin wit, memorable melodies and belly laughs for children and grown-ups alike.

This new musical features Leo Hanna, Shauna Harris, Leah Kavanagh, Anne O’Riordan and Michael Tient, and runs until 7th January at the venue on Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

Director of The Ark Aideen Howard said: “We are proud and excited to present the premiere of this musical adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s iconic book. The Giggler Treatment is loved by children and grown ups everywhere and Fionn Foley’s new adaptation for The Ark stage, directed by Sophie Motley, will introduce it to a new generation of theatre goers.”

If adults are mean to children, they get the Giggler Treatment. It's smelly. It's squishy. And it sticks to your shoe. But sometimes, just sometimes, the Gigglers make a mistake... Can Robbie, Kayla, Jimmy and Rover the dog come to Mr Mack's rescue before the poo hits the shoe?

Jam-packed with big songs and even bigger pongs, its is said to be the funniest, cheekiest, silliest show in town!

Fionn Foley is an award-winning actor, writer and composer based in Dublin. Recent writing and composition credits include 'Tonic', which was produced by the Rough Magic Theatre Company for Kilkenny Arts Festival and Dublin Fringe Festival. The Abbey Theatre commissioned Fionn to write a solo piece as part of ‘14 Voices from The Bloodied Field’ in 2020. Fionn was also part of their ‘Abbey Works’ new writing programme in 2019. Fionn was selected as one of 2018's Show in A Bag artists by the Irish Theatre Institute, Fishamble and Dublin Fringe Festival. Brendan Galileo for Europe was developed through this process and won both the 'Best Actor' and 'Bewley's Little Gem' awards as well as touring Ireland and running at Assembly as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Fionn’s critically acclaimed musical Fierce Notions won the 'Judge's Choice Award' at Dublin Fringe Festival in 2017. Other writing and composing credits include Eamonn (from Menswear) and the award-winning Half Light, which toured nationally. In 2023 His debut short film Cantata premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh.

As an actor, Fionn's theatre credits include 'A Christmas Carol' (Gate Theatre); 'Light A Penny Candle' (Gaiety Theatre, National Tour); 'Brendan Galileo for Europe' (Assembly, George Square Edinburgh & Irish National Tour); 'Trainspotting' (Olympia Theatre); 'The Harvest' (New Theatre); 'The Messenger' (Barnstorm); 'The Critic' (Rough Magic); and the 'Grimm Tales of Cinderella' (Smock Alley). Screen credits include 'Apocalypse Clown' (Fastnet Films); 'Balor Hall' (RTÉ); 'Into the Badlands' (AMC); 'Blasts from the Past' (RTÉ); 'Vikings' (History Channel); 'Ros na Rún' and the IFTA-nominated 'EIPIC' (TG4).

Fionn is an alumni of the Irish Theatre Institute’s ‘Six in the Attic’ initiative and is an associated artist of the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan. He is a former artist-in-residence at Dublin Fringe Festival.