ICTC to Kick Off Distillation North American Tour at Buffalo Irish Center
Created and Performed by Luke Casserly
A Luke Casserly, Solas Nua and Abbey Theatre Production
Commissioned by Solas Nua
October 24-26, 2026
An Immersive Special Engagement, Presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company Offsite at the Buffalo Irish Center.
An intimate sensory journey through Ireland’s bogs, blending scent, sound, and story.
Following a sold-out run at the Dublin Theatre Festival and performances at The Abbey Theatre, Solas Nua, and Round House Theatre, Irish Classical Theatre Company is proud to launch the North American tour of Distillation here in Buffalo.
A performative journey to the Irish bog landscape through scent, Distillation is a response to the recent cessation of the peat harvesting industry in Ireland. Performance artist Luke Casserly has collaborated with renowned perfumer Joan Woods to create a unique distillation of the Midlands bog – the place where he grew up – as the starting point for an olfactory encounter that examines our human relationship to place. Dedicated to the future of our broken landscapes, Distillation invites us to listen to the land in hopes of better understanding it.
Part interactive lecture and part performance, this intimate 50-minute work features original text, video, sound design, sculpture, and scent. Audience members sit together around a custom-made table, are invited to hold organic materials and smell parts of the bog landscape, and each receive a small sample of the custom perfume created for the project.
Performance Dates & Times:
Friday, October 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Friday, October 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Programming Details:
Distillation is a special add-on presentation, and is not part of ICTC’s 2025–2026 Main Stage Series. Season Subscriptions are not valid for this engagement.
Pricing: $45/Ticket + $3 Service Fee Per Ticket (online purchases)
Want to avoid Service Charges? Complete your order in-person at the Box Office.
Tickets are available for purchase here.
Venue: Buffalo Irish Center – Claddagh Room
245 Abbott Rd, Buffalo, NY 14220
(*Please note: This special engagement takes place offsite, not at ICTC’s Theatre.)
Parking: Though the Buffalo Irish Center has off-street parking, it can fill up during peak hours. We encourage attendees to allow extra time for travel and parking.
Food & Drink: The Buffalo Irish Center’s Pub may be open before and after performances, offering a full-service bar and food menu for purchase. Please check their website for official hours. However, no food and beverages are allowed in the performance space.
No Late Seating Policy: Due to the intimate layout of this performance, no late seating is permitted. Please plan to arrive and check in at the Buffalo Irish Center a minimum of 10 minutes before your performance is scheduled to begin.
Seating: General Admission; Limited to 25 patrons per performance
"An Absolute Delight from Start to Breathless Finish"
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Subscriptions for ICTC’s 2025/2026 Season are now available for purchase here.
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Video by Sarah Potter Photography
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Tickets and info at irishclassical.com
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Celtic Connections at ICTC- Saturday 3/15
I’m pleased to host a Celtic Connections event this St. Pádraig’s Day weekend. Join us at ICTC on Saturday, March 15th at 7:00PM in The Andrews Theatre for a captivating evening exploring the Irish experience in America and Buffalo, including:
Different Shades of Green: The Irish in America – A lecture by Dr. Matthew O’Brien (Franciscan University of Steubenville).
The Buffalo Irish on Screen and Stage – Presented by Tim Bohen, author of "Emerald Thread: The Irish in Buffalo".
Special Photography Exhibition: "Irish Contemporaries 3" by Dublin-based photographer Bobby Zithelo, featuring portraits of Irish musicians, poets, and artists.
Your ticket includes admission + a drink voucher for the Chris O’Neill Lounge!
Tickets available here: https://irishclassicaltheatre.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FUT000003yegn2AA
Come celebrate Irish heritage, history, and culture with us!
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Thanks to a generous partnership with the Canisius University’s Creative Writing Program and the Hassett Family Endowment, The Love Ones Playwright Erica Murray was able to travel from Ireland to participate in a Speaker Series engagement at our sold-out closing performance, followed by a visit to Canisius University to discuss her process with some current creative writing students.
North American Premiere of The Loved Ones Receives Critical Acclaim
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The Loved Ones runs through March 2nd at Irish Classical Theatre Company. Read more reviews and see show information here.
Irish Echo 40 Under 40 Honoree
I’m honored to be included on this year’s Irish Echo 40 Under 40 list.
This recognition is a celebration of Irish and Irish Americans who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of work before reaching the age of forty. The Top 40 Under 40 spotlights the up-and-coming leaders of Irish America from around the nation who work in a variety of fields and occupations.
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I am thrilled to announce that the Irish Classical Theatre Company will be the USA counterpart of the Irish Theatre Institute (ITI) Gap Exchange Program for 2025!
In this unique exchange, ICTC will be welcoming an Irish artist to introduce them to the vibrant Buffalo theatre community and the exciting work we do here. In return, we will be sending a Buffalo representative to Ireland to exchange knowledge, best practices, and artistic inspiration with our counterparts across the pond.
This is an incredible opportunity for artists to build international connections, share creative practices, and deepen their understanding of global arts communities.
Stay tuned for details on how we plan to interact with this incredible Irish artist in Buffalo in June 2025!
Learn more: https://www.irishtheatreinstitute.ie/.../applications.../
Gap Exchange is funded through the Arts Council's International Residencies Initiative Scheme and with contributions from the international partners (SPRING Performing Arts Festival, Arts Centre Viernulvier, Bluecoat, and the Irish Classical Theatre Company). It will also be supported by a number of national partners including The Lime Tree, Backstage Arts Centre, Mermaid Arts Centre, Theatre Royal, Briery Gap, and Cork Theatre Collective.
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Our preview production of The Fitzgeralds of St. Paul by Christie Baugher played for sold out houses, receiving critical acclaim and passionate audience support. Irish Classical is so grateful to have played a part in the realization of this gorgeous new piece of musical theatre, and we are excited to see it continue on its journey. Christie and the team are currently fundraising for a Broadway-star-studded concept album for the show- you can find more info here.
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*Photos by Jorge Luna, art direction by Keelie Sheridan.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen opens Friday, September 13th during Buffalo’s Curtain Up! celebration, and runs through Sunday, September 29th. Tickets are available at irishclassical.com.
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I’m very proud to share the ‘24-’25 Season at Irish Classical Theatre Company- the first I’ve programmed as Artistic Director. Tickets and information available at irishclassical.com.
