COMEDIAN TOMMY TIERNAN is making his musical theatre debut next year, in a new musical by Irish singer-songwriter Mick Flannery.

Tiernan and Belfast actor Tabitha Smyth are the first cast members to be announced, with the 56-year-old comedian playing the role of Ray, and Smyth playing Ray’s daughter Grace.

Further cast details of the seven-strong ensemble will be announced later, the production team promised.

Titled The House Must Win, the musical is based on Flannery’s debut album Evening Train, which was released in 2005.

The production is described as “a gritty new musical drama set to sweep audiences into the emotional undertow of its story and song”.

Set “on the western edge” of Ireland in the 1970s, the musical follows two brothers “living with the odds stacked against them”.

“Each takes a different path in the hope of leading a ‘good’ life, both striving to honour the woman who holds their hearts,” promotional material explains.

“In a town of backroom poker games, secrets and bribes, broken families and broken hearts, its people must learn how to play the cards they’ve been dealt — and discover what it truly means when the house must win.”

Tiernan’s character Ray is described by Flannery as “a man heartbroken, mostly by his own hand”. The singer said it was a “great honour” to have Tiernan and Smyth on board for the project.

The musical was presented as a work-in-progress over three performances at this year’s Galway International Arts Festival.

Now, the musical moves toward its world premiere on 17 April 2026 at Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, where it will run for three weeks (16 April – 3 May).

It will then transfer to The Everyman, Cork, for a ten-night “engagement” in Flannery’s hometown from 6 to 16 May.

Tickets are on sale now.