The King's Threshold; and On Baile's Strand

A hushed courtyard outside the palace of King Guaire buzzes with an odd mixture of courtly splendor and humble humanity. An old man in a red nightcap delivers a wry prologue, reminding listeners that the story they are about to hear has been twisted by poets and kings alike. From proud ladies and princes to crippled beggars and a monk in humble robes, the cast feels both larger than life and startlingly intimate, setting a tone that blends lofty myth with everyday ache.

When the king summons the assembled musicians, poets, and scholars, the purpose is urgent: to rescue the dying Seanchan, a celebrated poet whose very breath seems tied to the kingdom’s fate. The dialogue crackles with layered music‑and‑word riddles, while rival loyalties and whispered affections stir beneath the surface. As the first act unfolds, listeners are drawn into a tapestry of Irish legend where art, power, and compassion collide at the very threshold of the throne.