It takes a talented creative team to produce a family theatre show as captivating as The Koala Who Could. Adapted from Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s popular koala picture book, the show retells the story of Kevin the koala with a fun and interactive blend of songs, dance and stunning puppetry. The man behind the music and lyrics to the songs is Eamonn O’Dwyer. Let’s learn a bit more about his career. 

Beginnings

Born to an Irish father and Guyanese mother, Eamonn O’Dwyer got into music at an early age. He began his vocal training at Westminster Cathedral at the tender age of seven, touring extensively as a chorister and soloist, before training in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music.

Work

As a musician, composer, lyricist and sound designer, Eamonn has worked in theatres all over the world. His work spans genres from live orchestral to electronica and contemporary musical theatre, and his credits include:

Troilus & Cressida (Shakespeare’s Globe); The History Boys (Bath Theatre Royal); Lady Chatterley’s Lover (UK Tour); Twelfth Night and Henry V (Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre, York); Mrs Beeton Says… (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School); The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (NYMT, The Other Palace); The Comedy of Errors, Romeo & Juliet and Julius Caesar Re-imagined (RSC, Swan); Flesh & Bone (National Theatre Studio); and Peter Pan (Chichester Festival Theatre).

In addition to his work in theatre, Eamonn is a vocal tutor and has been the Musical Director of the City Academy Singers for ten years. 

Work with the Rose Theatre, Kingston

Eamonn is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music and a frequent musical collaborator at the Rose Theatre in Kingston. He has written original songs and scores for a range of productions there, such as Beauty & The Beast, The Snow Queen, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, A Christmas Carol, and Arabian Nights. 

The Koala Who Could is the second Nicoll Entertainment project on which Eamonn has worked - he was also the Musical Director for The Lion Inside. 

Achievements

As an award-winning creator, Eamonn has earned several accolades throughout his illustrious career. The score for his original musical, The House of Mirrors & Hearts, won the MTM Award for Best New Score at the Edinburgh Festival in 2010. 

In 2021 his musical Fanny & Stella was featured in the NAMT 33rd Annual Festival of New Musicals in New York, and in 2022 Eamonn made his own New York debut, performing an evening of his work at the celebrated 54 Below cabaret club in Manhattan. Most recently, he received the 2025 Black British Theatre Award for Best Sound Design. 

Experience Eamonn’s work

The Koala Who Could is back for another UK tour in 2026, with dates at the Chichester Festival Theatre and London Southbank Centre. Those who are fond of the cuddly koala book will love seeing it on stage in a heartwarming, family-friendly production that is perfect for children aged three and up. At 55 minutes with no interval, it’s ideal for short attention spans and will keep kids engaged throughout. Book your tickets for this energetic koala show today and join the fun!