Yes, you read that correctly - Dermot Bannon The Opera is real and will be happening this Friday as part of RTÉ's Comic Relief. Dermot joined Mairead on the show today and told her how incredibly nervous he is about the whole thing!
All Dermot knows about it is that Paul Howard, the man behind 'Anglo The Musical' and 'Coppers The Musical' had joked about making Dermot Bannon The Opera, and now it has become a reality.
Great rehearsal today for Dermot Bannon - The Opera. So lucky to work with the brilliant @CelineSoprano @RisteardCooper @CathalSynnott and @rte_co. You can see it on Friday night as part of #RTEComicRelief in aid of @CommunityFound. To donate, go to https://t.co/BtalFLo04r. pic.twitter.com/43g6QP8Rch
— Paul Howard (@AkaPaulHoward) June 23, 2020
After the Anglo and Coppers musicals were so well received, Mairead asked Dermot if we would see the Opera based on him tour Ireland? The question was met with a resounding "NO!" so it's unlikely we'll see it on the bill for Wexford Opera Festival next year, but we live in hope.
Dermot also told Mairead about the new series of Room to Improve which he has started filming. He has a love/hate relationship with the show but the break he's had during lockdown has given him a new energy and he's thrilled to be back at it.
You can hear the chat in full by pressing the play button on screen.
