The Irish Classical Theatre Company (ICTC) presents a special engagement of Distillation, an award-winning, multi-sensory performance by Irish artist Luke Casserly, hosted at the Buffalo Irish Center from October 24–26, 2025.
Following a sold-out run at the Dublin Theatre Festival and performances at The Abbey Theatre, Solas Nua, and Round House Theatre, Distillation begins its 2025 North American tour in Buffalo, offering Western New York audiences a rare chance to experience one of Ireland’s most innovative contemporary works.
Created and performed by Casserly in collaboration with renowned perfumer Joan Woods, Distillation is a performative journey through Ireland’s bog landscape, told through scent, sound, sculpture, and story. This 50-minute experience defies easy description—a rare chance for Buffalo audiences to encounter something unlike anything else they might have seen before, and is sure to be an unforgettable evening. ICTC Artistic Director Keelie Sheridan describes the work as “sitting in the center of theatre, storytelling, installation and performance art,” adding, “I think it has the chance to resonate deeply with a very wide range of audiences.”
Casserly’s inspiration came directly from the land itself. “I wanted to give a voice to a landscape that’s suffered enormously because of industrialization,” he said. “I’m from the rural Irish Midlands, and the place where I grew up has had a huge impact on my artistic sensibility. Over the last few years, that landscape has changed so dramatically with the end of the peat-harvesting industry.” He continued, “There’s a real sense of optimism about the environmental possibilities, but it’s also tied up with a sense of loss and questions about what happens to a community when an industry that shaped its identity disappears. I wanted to create a project that could hold that tapestry of perspectives and find a form that could transport audiences to that place without them actually being there.”
For Sheridan, the piece’s sensory power was irresistible. “The multisensory aspect of this piece is what initially drew me in—particularly smell,” she said. “Our senses play such a large role in how we imprint and store memories, and I think of that a lot when I’m making theatre.” During the performance, audiences gather around a large, custom-made table—an experience Sheridan found especially compelling. “I was also very attracted to the intimate scale of this piece…It felt so different to anything happening in our area, and I’m really proud to be able to offer that to Buffalo audiences.” In addition, each participant receives a small sample of the custom perfume created for the project. “Partnering with renowned Irish perfume-maker Joan Woods on this piece was a stroke of brilliance, and a lovely touch to this mesmerizing experience,” Sheridan said.
At the heart of ICTC’s mission is a desire to connect the Buffalo community more deeply to Ireland—its history, its artistry, and its evolving identity. “This piece celebrates a unique slice of Ireland’s landscape, literally bringing the bog to Buffalo,” said Sheridan. “Distillation offers the opportunity to connect with one of Ireland’s most exciting theatre artists right here in our city. This piece also presented the perfect opportunity for us to collaborate with our friends at the Buffalo Irish Center, with whom we have an obvious affinity.”
Casserly shared that Distillation consistently draws audiences in, leaving many deeply moved on multiple levels. “What’s really stayed with me are the conversations I’ve had with people after the show—particularly the stories they share about their own relationships to land and to memory. There’s a particular moment in the performance when each audience member is invited to smell a custom-made fragrance, and it’s always fascinating to hear where that scent takes them in terms of the memories and associations it brings up. Sometimes people come up with the most unexpected connections. Those are the moments I love most—when the work opens a small window for people to connect their own experiences back to the landscape that inspired the piece.”
Sheridan hopes Buffalo audiences will find that same resonance. “I hope audiences leave Distillation with fresh eyes (and ears and noses)—reflecting on their relationships to the places and memories that have shaped them. I also hope that patrons who haven’t been to the Buffalo Irish Center or seen an Irish Classical show previously leave with an awareness of how robust Buffalo’s Irish cultural scene is.”
Distillation runs for eight performances, October 24–26, 2025, at the Buffalo Irish Center (245 Abbott Rd, Buffalo, NY 14220). Seating is general admission and limited to 25 patrons per performance. Run time is approximately 50 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are available here.
