La Natura Delle Cose review: A dance masterpiece chronicling the life of one character

Dublin Dance Festival present Virgilio Sieni's dance inspired by a Lucretius poem. Photo: Paulo Porto 

A Streetcar Named Desire review: Tennessee Williams's masterpiece becomes an absorbing psychodrama

This revival of Williams's play about a woman visiting her sister shows the horrors of domestic abuse. Photo: Johnny Frazer

The Glass Menagerie review: Tennessee Williams's breakout play with a little too much polish

The Wingfield family of The Glass Menagerie are all left behind, in some respect, by the world. Photo: Ste Murray 

It Was Easy (in the End) review: THEATREclub's coproduction with the Abbey is a bit of a mess

Grace Dyas's new play follows a group of off-the-grid artists imagining the end of capitalism. Photo: Dorje de Burgh

Spotless review: A peculiar fathering crisis drama turns fascinating thriller

In Gary Duggan's new play, a seemingly transparent young man works his way into the affections of two women. Photo: Keith Dixon 

In Our Veins review: A muddled history of a Dublin docker family

Lee Coffey's ambitious new play rushes through a century of the Dublin docklands. Photo: Pat Redmond 

“Everyone’s a critic”: As column inches narrow, it's time for editors to raise standards

One of the puzzling editorial decisions, in these straitened times, is the Irish Times commissioning book reviewers who have eked out careers in literary writing as opposed to journalism. 

Beginning review: A flintily genuine view of people seeking connection

Two remaining people at a house party navigate their complicated lives. Photo: Ros Kavanagh

Irish Times Theatre Awards: Why the most conventional production is a timely winner

DruidShakespeare: Richard III mightn't be the most aesthetically groundbreaking winner but it does feel globally relevant. Photo: Robbie Jack 

Bold Moves review: Ballet Ireland search for an insurrection with the off-the-wall Gaga movement

This absorbing production is a triple-bill of dances about flights of departure. Photo: Declan English