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 …