HOLDEN & ARTS ASSOCIATES
SHARING STORIES AND CREATING PARTNERSHIPS SINCE 1983
THE MUSICIANS OF BREMEN, LIVE!
Produced by Cahoots NI from Belfast, Northern Ireland
and Segerstrom Center for the Arts from Costa Mesa, California
Following in the spectacular footprints of The Vanishing Elephant, Cahoots NI along with co-producer Segerstrom Center for the Arts brings you another larger than life family production: The Musicians of Bremen, Live!
This swashbuckling musical follows four very different creatures, a Hen, Mule, Bobcat, and Coyote, each on their way to a new life. The four musicians first struggle with their differences but emerge glorious as they discover how to work together and become a famous band! An epic journey from dusty crossroads to the bright lights of the big city, this show is a celebration of chasing big dreams.
This new production was inspired by the classic Grimm's Fairy tale and premiered at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA in February 2025. It was developed through a collaborative partnership between Cahoots NI and Segerstrom Center for the Arts and co-produced by both organizations.
"‘Loved the music, from Tom Waits to gospel and country, it was amazing! Super atmosphere, great story and message with an amazing set" - audience member.
Resources
About the Company
Best for Mainstage Family Audiences
Student Matinees Grades: 2nd-6th
Audience Size: Medium to Large Venues
Please contact us to watch a full archival recording.
Curriculum Connections
-
Fine Arts: Theatre, Performance, Music, Design,
-
Language Arts: Grimm’s Fairy Tales
-
Science: Animals, Natural Habitats, Cultures/Climates around the world, Desert vs City environments
-
Geography: Landscapes, Countries
Emotional/Social Development: Personal development and mutual understanding, Kindness, Relationships, Friendship, Displacement, Exclusion
Minimum Technical Requirements
Load In Time: 6 Hours
Crew Needs: 2 x lighting, 1 sound, 2 stage
Min. Stage Size: 40ft x 40ft by 20ft minimum height to lx bars, 6ft wing space on both sides of stage required
Sound Needs: Main PA for auditorium, 6 x foldback monitors
Load Out Time: 2 hours
Other needs: a flat level stage, black masking curtains for the wings either side, the lighting and sound positions need to be together, the audience should be end on only.
Current Run time: 70 minutes
Workshops/Outreach
Post Show Q&A can be held with schools and or audiences. This would be led by one of our team and would include the cast coming back onto stage for questions from the audience.
Building Trust Through Theatre Workshop opportunity:
A dynamic interactive theatre workshop designed to inspire connection, confidence, and collaboration. Participants will step into the roles of a hen, bobcat, coyote, and mule—discovering what makes each character unique, and how they work together to achieve harmony from disharmony. A joyful and imaginative way to build stronger bonds and deeper understanding—on stage and beyond. Aimed at ages 8+, this workshop uses drama-based games and activities to explore key themes from The Musicians of Bremen Live!
Including:
- Characterisation & storytelling
- Trust and communication
- Teamwork and empathy
- Celebrating our differences and finding common ground
Artistic Team
Originally Co-Produced by Cahoots NI and Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Director: Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney
Writer: Charles Way
Composers: Kyron Bourke and Padraig Dooney
Digital: BNL
Lighting Engineer: Simon Bond
Sound Engineer: Beth Tays
Costume Designer: Diana Ennis
Production Manager: Ross McDade
Touring Company will include:
4 Cast Members, 2 Musicians & 2 Crew Members
Critical/Audience Acclaim
‘Loved the music, from Tom Waits to gospel and country, it was amazing! Super atmosphere, great story and message with an amazing set’ - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
‘The music was AMAZING! Characters were wonderful, the background created a wonderful atmosphere - VERY enjoyable!” - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
“The main character was amazing - we got to meet her, and she was from Ireland!” - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
“Meaningful and wonderfully done” - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
“The music captivates - incredible performances from talented cast” - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
“So fun..thank you Segerstrom Center and Cahoots for a great afternoon of music, laughter and friends. Everyone’s got a tale to tell - and you told it so well!” - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
“The cutest way to get your kids excited about theater” - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
“Such a special collaboration!” - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
“It was so different from any other musical we’ve seen before. The interaction of jazz/blues/gospel style music with storytelling and singing was unique and engaging. The unlikely friendship that developed was sweet and heartwarming. You need to watch this! I hope they will be back again.” - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
“What a fun experience to be engulfed with the entertainment and talent…the story is adorable, the music is fun and interactive, and memorable.” - audience member, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
“It inspired my students to continue to pursue the arts! It was such a talented group of individuals, and extremely engaging!” - Teacher at Portola Springs Elementary
“This program was an enriching experience for both the kids and myself to see such a classic literary tale adapted and come to life. I would definitely recommend it! :)” - Teacher at California Elementary
“The opening of Musicians of Bremen was a landmark and important day for the centre” - Casey Reitz president of Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa CA premiere in February 2025.
Company Background
Past North American Tours: Secrets of Space, Penguins, Shh! We Have a Plan, Egg , Danny Carmo's Mathematical Mysteries, Nivelli's War, Lights, Camera, Math! The University of Wonder and Imagination, and The Vanishing Elephant
Cahoots NI is at the forefront of Northern Irish theatre and is the leading professional theatre company producing work for children. Since beginning operations in November 2001, Cahoots NI has produced original, boldly innovative work for children, some staged in conventional theatre venues and some in purpose-designed sites or specific locations, including schools and healthcare settings. Its work concentrates on combining the visual potential of theatre with the age-old popularity of magic and illusion.
For more information, please visit the company’s website.
Director - Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney
Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney is from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, and is the Founder and Artistic Director of Cahoots.
His recent Theatre writing credits include; Penguins, Shh! We Have a Plan, Egg, Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries and The Magic Hat. In his role as Artistic Director Paul has produced and directed many productions, most recently The University of Wonder and Imagination (International Zoom Tour 2020), The Grimm Hotel (Immersive Walk-Through Experience, Belfast 2021) and Secrets of Space (USA Tour 2022). Paul has worked extensively as an illusion consultant on many different productions, ranging from Shakespeare in the open air to Broadway musicals. As an actor, Paul was nominated for the prestigious Ian Charleson award and received a Commendation from the National Theatre for his performance in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast. In November 2011, The Belfast Metropolitan College honoured Paul with an Award of Distinction for his contribution to the Arts.
Charles Way - Writer
Charles is one of Britain’s leading writer’s for children and young people. In 2016 he was honoured by Action for Children’s Arts for his contribution to children’s theatre. Charles began writing plays professionally in 1978 when he joined Leeds Playhouse TIE team. He has now written over fifty plays, and his work is produced all over the world. ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘The Search for Odysseus’ were both nominated as Best Children's Play by the Writer's Guild of Great Britain and ‘A Spell of Cold Weather’ won the award in1996. His play about the percussionist Evelyn Glennie, which was first produced at the Polka Theatre was nominated as Best Children's Show by the TMA, as was ‘Nivelli’s War’ for Cahoots which transferred to Broadway in 2017. His version of ‘The Borrowers’ won the award in a production for Northern Stage directed by Erica Whyman in 2014.
He has enjoyed a close relationship with the Unicorn Theatre in London for whom he wrote ‘The Flood’ published by Collins and in 2004 ’Red Red Shoes’ which won the English Arts council’s ‘Children’s Award’. He was commissioned by the National Theatre for the ‘Assembly’ project to write ‘Alice in the News’, which has subsequently been performed by children all over Britain. In 2010 the author was the recipient of the prestigious German children’s theatre prize for ‘Missing’ about child poverty and in 2004 'Merlin and the Cave of Dreams', was nominated for a Helen Hayes award for the 'Outstanding New Play’ in Washington DC. Recent works include ‘The Grimm Hotel’, ’Under the Hawthorn Tree’, ‘The Gift’, ‘The Assistant’s Revenge’, ‘Secrets of Space’ and’ The Vanishing Elephant’ all for Cahoots.
Past Productions
