Emma Martin Dance, 'Tundra': Left Out In the Cold

Like the Arctic tundra, Emma Martin's dance is mostly shrouded in darkness. Will it shed enough light to lead us anywhere? 

Samuel Beckett Theatre, Dublin Dance Festival
May 20-23


My review of Tundra by Emma Martin coming up after the jump ...

Veronica Dyas, 'Here & Now': A House is Not a Home

136,564 Irish citizens have residential mortgages in arrears. Does Veronica Dyas' pilgrimage tell us anything new about what makes a home?

Project Arts Centre

Performance: May 15-17

Installation: May 13-17

My review of Here & Now by Veronica Dyas coming up after the jump ...

Turnaround Productions, 'On City Water Hill'

An IFTA-winning producer thinks big as he seeks help from a hitman for his next feature.

Theatre Upstairs

May 6-17

I don't have time to do a full review of On City Water Hill by Philip St John.

Set on a hillside overlooking Dublin, the play presents an exchange between an IFTA-winning producer and a professional hitman. The producer (in a furious turn from Neil Fleming) claims to be researching for a big screen feature.

What unravels is a revenge thriller with one major problem - if there is a clear hero in Pat Nolan's hitman we never worry or root for him. While it sees male violence being industrialised, the play doesn't deliver any powerful insight into such a reality. It feels more like a polemic, as the producer - a walking epitome of Celtic Tiger ideals - ends up with a gun to his head. 

The playwright hasn't gripped the emotional arcs of the work (Fleming is blasting his material to pieces trying to make it transform). Weaknesses in the writing aside, the performances are quite solid. Liam Halligan's direction moves things along smoothly and Laura Kelly's brave set design doesn't seek naturalistic conviction, as symmetrical blue panels tacked to the theatre wall suggest a sky. It makes you wonder if On City Water Hill would be better off with a more stylised form.

What did everybody else think?

Project Arts Centre, 'Boys and Girls': Here Comes the Night Time

From Dublin's spoken word scene, Dylan Coburn Gray's verse drama sets four college students loose for a night. 

May 13-17

Project Arts Centre

My review of Boys and Girls by Dylan Coburn Gray coming up just as soon it's unreal how painfully sexy your cigarette is ...

Super Paua, 'Aunty Ben': Across the Starboard Bow

Ireland's first LGBT play for children is at the political helm of the gay theatre festival. Photo: Krystin Healy

The Teacher's Club, International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival

5, 10 & 17 May

My review of Auntie Ben by Sian Ní Mhuirí coming up just as soon as I leave my Christmas decorations up all year round ...

Áine Flanagan Productions, 'Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho': Skirts of Yesteryear

The Iron Lady certainly is for turning in this crackling drag comedy. 

The New Theatre, International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival

May 12-17

My review of Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho by Matt Tedford and Jon Brittain coming up just as soon as I desperately search in need of a private members club ... 

Acting Out, 'Tits Up!': Sweet Suburbia

Ignorance isn't bliss in Sean Denyer's delightful comedy of manners. 

The Outhouse, International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival

May 5-8

My review of Tits Up! by Sean Denyer coming up just as soon as I know the score to Les Misérables (including the harmonies) ...

International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, 'Man Enough'

An 18-year-old embraces his out-and-proud lifestyle. Just don't fall for the coke-addicted rent boy. 

Teacher's Club

May 9-10

My review of Man Enough by Dan Peter Reeves coming up just as soon I serve salmon for breakfast ...

International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, 'At the Flash'

A one-man show about American LGBT history reveals its rigour. Has much changed in the last 5 decades?

The Outhouse

May 5-10

My review of At the Flash by Sean Chandler and David Leeper coming just as soon as I thank you for cancelling underwear night ...

International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, 'Eirebrushed'

Why was Elizabeth O'Farrell airbrushed out of the 1916 surrender photograph (only her feet remain, see bottom right)? The International Gay Theatre Festival opens with Brian Merriman's play about the gay heroes of that revolutionary year.

The New Theatre,

May 5-10

My review of Eirebrushed by Brian Merriman coming up just as soon as I'm the first confirmed sex tourist ...