The Duty of Harsh Criticism: It isn’t pointless to talk about art during the crisis

During World War I, book critic Rebecca West wrote the essay "The Duty of Harsh Criticism," a reminder that art must be talked about during the war. Photo: AP

The Dragon: The uplifting fantasy comedy staged at the end of a pandemic

Lady Gregory's 1919 comedy is set in a mythical castle on the Burren, where, according to a prophecy, a princess will be devoured by a dragon. Photo: NUI Galway archives

Coronavirus: Art has a kind of magic. It’s helping to counteract feelings of separation and loneliness

As the virus spreads, art is synthesising new connections. Painting: Three Witches (scene from Macbeth) by William Rimmer. 

The Cherry Orchard review: Tonally uneven production of Anton Chekhov’s Russian revolution comedy

A broke aristocratic family face selling their estate, in Anton Chekhov's comedy. Photo: Robbie Jack 

Our New Girl review: Sexism satire meets psychological thriller in Nancy Harris’s outstanding play

A nanny arrives out of the blue, to help a woman with her troubled son, in Nancy Harris's psychological thriller. Photo: Ros Kavanagh

The Fall of the Second Republic review: Dark satire trying to bare a heart of gold

The Corn Exchange and the Abbey's new comedy is set in a 1970s version of Ireland, where an opportunistic Taoiseach conspires to cling onto power. Photo: Ros Kavanagh

Dream, Sleep, Connect review: Romantic comedy struggling to make big statements about the digital era

A singleton working in big data searches for a date to his office party, in Rosemary Jenkinson's new comedy. 

Mamafesta Memorialising review: A superb dance against dementia both sad and uplifting

Choreographer Philip Connaughton fears losing his memory in this marvellous new dance. Photo: Luca Truffarelli 

Medea review: Serious performances in an adaptation that doesn’t show the same commitment

Euripides's ancient tragedy is seen from a child's perspective, in Kate Mulvany and Anne-Louise Sarks’s version. Photo: Ros Kavanagh 

Election 2020: When do you know you’re walking around a cultural ghost town?

Irish writer Maeve Brennan wrote about the demolishment of culture in 1960s New York. Photo: Getty Images