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The Wind Coming Over the Sea

synopsis

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The Wind Coming Over the Sea

casting considerations

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Notes
The premiere production had five actor-singer-musicians, one adult actor-singer, and one child actor, for a total of seven, but it could also be staged with separate musicians or with six adult actor-singers and a backing track.
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breakdown
Henry Johnson

20s, m, Irish shopkeeper

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Jane Johnson

20s, m, Irish shopkeeper

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Ensemble

m, various Irish/English/American/Canadian characters, 20s-60s

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Ensemble

f, various Irish characters, 30s-60s

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Small Child (optional)

any gender

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The Wind Coming Over the Sea

orchestration

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full orchestration
5
Parts
The premiere had five actor-musicians playing a variety of portable instruments. But all the songs are traditional, so can be sung anything from acapella to multi-instrumental.
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Alternate orchestration
Parts
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The Wind Coming Over the Sea

Licensing Information

PLEASE CONTACT MY REPRESENTATIVE

Sissi Liechtenstein–IPR

sl@iprltd.co.uk

Please contact me to license my piece.
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The Wind Coming Over the Sea

available sheet music

No items found.
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The Wind Coming Over the Sea

production history

Blyth Festival

June 26-October 5, 2025

Blyth Memorial Hall
Director

Gil Garratt

Music Director

Anne Lederman

Set Design

Ken MacKenzie

Lighting Design

Ken MacKenzie

Costume Design

Megan Choma

Sound Design

Adam Campbell

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Show Poster
Poster:
Brenda Lee

The Wind Coming Over the Sea

A moving and funny true story of emigration based on the 1840s letters of Henry and Jane Johnson, filled with traditional songs

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Music
Various artists
traditional folk tunes
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Lyrics
traditional folk lyrics
Various artists
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Book
Emma Donoghue
Additional Lyrics by Fiona Sauder. Dramaturgy by Matt Pilipiak.
in development
Period/Historic
Set In Canada
Canadian Story
Ensemble Cast
Actor-Musician
Folk Music
Traditional Music
True Story
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'The best original offering at the Blyth Festival since 2017… heartbreakingly sad and tragic in one minute and uproariously funny in the next… A masterpiece.' - Huron Citizen

'Masterfully weaves historical authenticity with contemporary resonance .. transforms their intimate letters into a sweeping narrative that speaks powerfully to our present moment. ... The Wind Coming over the Sea soars through the magic of its script, songs and sincerity. For the show is also a celebration of the power and possibility of immigration: a paean to taking bold risks ... a toe-tapping, heart-stirring reminder that every immigrant’s journey weaves another thread into our collective tapestry.' - Sesaya Arts Magazine (Toronto)

‘A beautifully tender, unflinching look at the promise and peril of emigration, stitched together like a warm quilt... Overflowing with emotionally engaging traditional ballads and live Irish folk music, a new work of clarity and compassion.’ - Frontmezzjunkies.com

'Equal parts heart-warming and tragic, as Donoghue takes an unflinching look at an ongoing piece of Canada’s story.' - Kincardine Record

Coming Soon To...

The Wind Coming Over the Sea, Emma Donoghue's folk musical about Irish emigration to Canada, was commissioned by Blyth Festival, got nationwide press/tv attention, and after its sold-out summer run was brought back for a two-week extension in the fall.
Full synopsis
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Set in Northern Ireland and Ontario, it's a true story about emigration - specifically from Ireland in the 1840s, but more broadly about the pains as well as opportunities of making that journey between any two countries in any era.
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notes about Development

roles
6-10
Irish folk musical
acts
2

sample media

Sample Audio
no audio samples at this time
Casting infoorchestrationlicensingproduction historyAvailable Sheet Music
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https://blythfestival.com/the-wind-coming-over-the-sea/

Perusal Materials

Sample
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