ELIZA'S Adventures in the Uncanny Valley review: Some eccentricities in this absurd drama don't seem well scripted

A group of androids struggle with feelings of irrelevance in Eugene O'Brien and Gavin Quinn's new play. Photo: Ros Kavanagh 

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man review: James Joyce's coming of age refuses the move to stage

Arthur Riordan's kaleidoscopic new adaptation of Joyce's novel takes the novelist at his word. Photo: Ste Murray

Shame review: Garage rock theatre, dissenting and triumphing

Pom Boyd and Seán Miller's new music-theatre production gives paralysing self-doubt the longed-for pathos of a rock song. 

Abbey Theatre (Peacock Stage), Dublin Fringe Festival 

Sep 19-22

My review of Shame by Pom Boyd and Seán Miller coming up just as soon as I smile ...

The PeopleSway review: Artists addressing the housing crisis how they know best

Grainne O Carroll's promenade production drags otherworldly displays down to ground.

MLV Studios, Dublin Fringe Festival 

Sep 13-15

My review of The PeopleSway by Dance Among Other Things coming up just as soon as I stretch my hands like an accordion ...

Everything Can Be Dismantled review: Freewheeling contemporary theatre in search of a rulebook

Discotheque Collective's interactive play involves an audience conversation about the housing crisis. 

The Lir Academy (Studio 2), Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 12-16

My review of Everything Can Be Dismantled by Discotheque Collective coming up just as soon as I hand you a lamp ...

Astronaut review: A caustic stream of consciousness thrums towards Apollo House

Joe Wright's impassioned solo work tells the story of a homeless man. Photo: Gary James Doyle. 

The New Theatre, Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 12-15

My review of Astronaut by Joe Wright coming up just as soon as I introduce Christy Dignam from Aslan ...

Stop / Over review: A light-flickering escape to New York unsure of what it's fleeing from

In Gary Duggan's promenade play, two reunited friends try to recreate the abandon of their student days over 48 hours. Photo: Futoshi Sakauchi.

Chocolate Factory, Dublin Fringe Festival 
Sep 12-23


My review of Stop / Over by Gary Duggan coming up just as soon as I sip on my Masochist ...

Oneday review: Striking and revitalising avant-garde theatre

Dick Walsh's riveting new play uses news reports to reconstruct what happened on March 13th, 2012. Photo: Aine McBride. 

Project Arts Centre (Cube), Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 10-15

My review of Oneday by Dick Walsh coming up just as soon as I play Count Dracula on Broadway ...

A Holy Show review: Multiple-role comedy about Aer Lingus highjack spreads itself thin

Janet Moran's vigorous comedy revisits a bizarre episode from 1980s Ireland. 

Abbey Theatre (Peacock Stage), Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 10-15

My review of A Holy Show by Janet Moran coming up just as soon as I consecrate Russia to my immaculate heart ...

Assisted Solo review: An affectionate and surreal dance about elderly care

Philip Connaughton's absorbing new production features an appearance by his mother, who suffers from dementia. Photo: Ste Murray 

Project Arts Centre (Upstairs), Dublin Fringe Festival 

Sep 8-15

My review of Assisted Solo by Philip Connaughton coming up just as soon as my ex-boyfriend is a gynaecologist ...

FABLE review: A dance production buckling under the problems of modern life

The Human Collective's lively production for young audiences ushers street dance into the theatre. 

Project Arts Centre (Upstairs), Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 10-16

My review of FABLE by Matt Szczerek coming up just as soon as I hop on an escalator ...

Everything I Do review: Mesmerising gig theatre, in tune with all-consuming love

Zoe Ní Riordáin's new musical performance begins with gestures of devotion necessary for love songs but becomes something more complex. Photo: Ros Kavanagh. 

Project Arts Centre (Cube), Dublin Fringe Festival
Sep 8-15

My review of Everything I Do by Zoe Ní Riordain coming up just as soon as I meet an alien ...

10 Shows to See in 2018

We’re not used to having the Gate Theatre’s programme in advance, or the Abbey’s season as plentiful. Narrowing down the field is no fun at all. Here are 10 premieres for your diaries.

The Best Theatre of 2017

In accordance with being a critic in December, I must be writing my theatre picks for 2017. Keep an eye out for a more thought-out analysis in the Irish Independent.

If you think I got it wrong, sound off in the comments. 

Pan Pan, 'The Good House of Happiness': Send in the Brechtsperts

A bleak version of Bertolt Brecht's The Good Person of Szechuan loses its satirical edge. Photo: Gavin Quinn.

Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival 

Oct 13-15

A quick review of The Good House of Happiness by Eugene O’Brien and Gavin Quinn coming up just as soon as I take a 15 minute break …

Karine Polwart and Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, 'Wind Resistance': Birdsong

This illuminating solo with songs could have left out its B-sides. Photo: Aly Wight 

Pavilion Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival 

Oct 12-14

A quick review of Wind Resistance by Karine Polwart coming up just as soon as I help a robin ...

United Fall, 'Girl Song': Past Generations

This dance-theatre production is poised between oblivion and resistance. Can it avoid straying into one or the other? Photo: Luca Truffarelli.

Samuel Beckett Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival

Oct 6-8

A quick review of Girl Song by Emma Martin coming up just as soon as I watch my television ...

Rough Magic, 'Melt': Locus Solus

This wildly imaginative play needs to be reined in. Photo: Ros Kavanagh.

Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival

Sep 30-Oct 8

A quick review of Melt by Shane Mac an Bhaird coming up just as soon as I don't trust anyone with the guile of humility ...

Martin Sharry, 'Playboyz': St Patrick's Day

A pastiche of Synge's Playboy looks at racism in contemporary Ireland. Photo: Jaesin Yu. 

The New Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival

Sep 29-Oct 1

A quick review of Playboyz by Martin Sharry coming up just as soon as I sell you a lawnmower ...

X & Co. Xnthony, ‘Power of Wow’: Wedding Bell Blues

Xnthony's new production is his most rigorous yet. Photo: LUXXXER. 

Bewley's Café Theatre @ Powerscourt, Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 20-23 

A short review of The Power of Wow coming up just as soon as I cook gnocchi in LA … 

Dead Lady Productions, 'The Woods & Grandma': Among the Clouds

A refreshing new operetta gets the word out on Augusta Gregory.

Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 21-23

My review of The Woods & Grandma by Cal Foger Day coming up just as soon as I butter my toast ...