Paines Plough and Pentabus Theatre, 'Every Brilliant Thing': Making a List

Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe's play fights depression with unbridled optimism. Photo: Richard Davenport

Pavilion Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival
Nov 11-16


My thoughts on Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe coming up just as soon as I strip wallpaper off the wall in one go …

Brokentalkers, 'The Circus Animals' Desertion': Visions of the Future

What will it take to get over the romance of nationalism? Brokentalkers' delve into the occultism of W.B. Yeats for answers. Photo: Futoshi Sakauchi

Samuel Beckett Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival

Oct 5-8

A few thoughts on The Circus Animals' Desertion coming up just as soon as I visit Hawaii ...

Michael Keegan-Dolan, 'Swan Lake/Loch na hEala': The Curse

Michael Keegan-Dolan's adaptation of Tchaikovsky's ballet is a stirring allegory of the Irish Midlands. Photo: Colm Hogan

O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival

Oct 1-9

A few thoughts on Swan Lake/Loch na hEala by Michael Keegan-Dolan coming up just as soon as I do a photo for the Longford Leader …

ANU and CoisCéim, 'These Rooms': Claiming Damages

The unfinished business of 1916 is dug up in a miraculous co-production. Photo: Pat Redmond

85/86 Upper Dorset Street, Dublin Theatre Festival

Sep 29-Oct 16

Will be writing a round-up of Dublin Theatre Festival for The Stage next week. But in the meantime, a few thoughts on These Rooms coming up just as soon as I hand you your handbag ...

Sarah Gordon, 'A Sinkhole in Guatemala': Fair Trade

A vital environmental message so covert, you might miss it.

The New Theatre, Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 21-24

A quick review of A Sinkhole in Guatemala by Sarah Gordon coming up after the jump ...

Oisín McKenna, 'Gays Against the Free State!': The Full Picture

Liberation means assimilation in this thoughtful portrayal of post-Marriage Equality Ireland. Photo: Matthew Mulligan.

Smock Alley Theatre, Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 21-24

A quick review of Gays Against the Free State! by Oisín McKenna coming up just as soon as I yell "yaaaasssss" at someone in blackface ...

That Lot, 'Traitor': Fighting the Power

A politician tries to see their radical message though in 2026. Photo: Keith Dixon 

Project Arts Centre, Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival

Sept 21-24

A quick review of Traitor by Shane Mac an Bhaird coming up just as soon as I ask a statue for permission …

Malaprop, 'BlackCatfishMusketeer': Love Letters

Falling in love or into a trap? Dylan Coburn Gray's play looks at the world of dating profiles. Photo: Molly O'Cathain

The Lir, Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival

Sept 20-24

A quick review of BlackCatfishMusketeer by Dylan Coburn Gray coming up just as soon as suggestive ellipsis … 

Aoibheann Greenan, 'The Perfect Wagner Rite': Fetish Opera

Aoibheann Greenan's take on Wagner's opera is the most non-conforming show at Fringe in years. 

RHA Gallery, Tiger Dublin Fringe

Sep 15-18

A quick review of The Perfect Wagner Rite by Aoibheann Grennan coming up just as soon as I hand you a spear ...

Collapsing Horse, 'The Aeneid': Rome Won't Tear Us Apart

Deviating from a narrative as old as Virgil's epic isn't easy, as tested by Collapsing Horse's jaunty adaptation. Photo: Ste Murray

Smock Alley Theatre, Tiger Dublin Fringe

Sept 15-24

A quick review of The Aeneid coming up just as soon as I sacrifice some animals …

Kate Gilmore, 'The Wickedness of Oz': There's No Place Like Home

With Generation Emigration packing their bags, a young woman picks her battles at home. Photo: Clíona Ní Laoi.

Bewley's Cafe Theatre @ Powerscourt, Tiger Dublin Fringe

Sept 13-23

A quick review of The Wickedness of Oz by Kate Gilmore coming up just as soon as my mother reminds me to lay off the Malibu …

Margaret McAuliffe, ‘The Humours of Bandon’: Bonaparte’s Retreat

Margaret McAuliffe takes us behind the scenes of an Irish dancing championship in an excellent drama about adolescence.

Bewley's Cafe Theatre @ Powerscourt, Tiger Dublin Fringe
Sept 14-24

A quick review of The Humours of Bandon by Margaret McAuliffe coming up just as soon as I trust what you say about my costume …

Dick Walsh Theatre and Pan Pan, 'George Bush and Children': The Talkshow Must Go On

Opinions collide in Dick Walsh's new play about talkshows. It's easy to laugh from a distance. Photo: Jaesin Yu. 

Project Arts Centre, Tiger Dublin Fringe

Sep 12-17

A quick review of George Bush and Children by Dick Walsh coming up just as soon as I remember having a good time being energy ...

Shannon Yee, 'Reassembled, Slightly Askew': On the Brain

 Stunning audio art recreates an artist's intimate story of survival. 

The Complex, Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 13-24

A quick review of Reassembled, Slightly Askew by Shannon Yee coming up just as I go to town for toothpaste ...

Oona Doherty and Liz Roche Company, 'Hope Hunt' / 'Wrongheaded': In Search of Respect

Gender politics are unabashedly brought to the forefront in this dance double bill.  

Project Arts Centre, Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 12-16

A quick review of the dance double bill Hope Hunt by Oonagh Doherty and Wrongheaded by Liz Roche coming up just as soon as I support Chelsea …

Umbrella Theatre Project, 'Glowworm': Bugged by Mediocrity

Can a shy schoolgirl discover her genius in this multidisciplinary send-up of Victorian society? Photo: Christopher Lindhorst

Project Arts Centre, Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival
Sep 11-16

A quick review of Glowworm by Tom Nieboer coming up just as soon as I go down to the elderflower thicket ...