2020: the best theatre of the year

My favourite theatre moments of the year: Hansel and Gretel, Our New Girl, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and Will I See You There.

What Happened to Lucrece review: A catastrophe of an opera experiment

Based on Shakespeare's tragic poem The Rape of Lucrece, each performance of Wexford Festival Opera's eccentric opera features a different ending. Photo: Padraig Grant

Embargo review: A play dressed like a War of Independence thriller

A train driver must decide between assisting the IRA or helping a vulnerable woman in Deirdre Kinahan's new play. Photo: Anthony Woods

The Party to End All Parties review: Plot and character disappear into a spectacularly beautiful cityscape

Taking place against the 1949 celebrations of Ireland becoming a Republic, ANU and Dublin Theatre Festival's streamed play is about unfulfilled promises and lives falling apart. Photo: ANU 

To Be a Machine (Version 1.0) review: The first major streamed play is here

An adaptation of writer Mark O'Connell's book about encountering members of the transhumanism movement brings classic illusion to streamed theatre. Photo: Ben Kidd / Dead Centre

DruidGregory review: An uneven blend of razor-sharp comedy and muffled song

Druid's cycle of plays by Lady Gregory is set in an early-century version of Galway, where communities are splintered by divisions and persuasive songs are in the air. Photo: Matthew Thompson

Transmission review: Crucial moments captured beautifully in the passing light

Caitríona Ní Mhurchú tries to live in the present in her new play, but her family's history holds fascinating surprises.  Photo: Jason Byrne 

Before You Say Anything review: Multiple stories forced into an elegant flawed play

Three seemingly unrelated stories about people unsafe from the police merge in Malaprop's new play. Photo: Simon Lazewksi

Will I See You There review: Eavesdropping on a touching reunion in a city square

 

In this slick play-installation, the audience peers down from above and listens to a chance encounter between friends through headphones. 

Token Cis review: Some shakily constructed jokes but this comedy material is gold

 

Alive to empty symbols of effort, the main parody by this comedy troupe is to give stage time to guest cisgender comics as if they're doing them a favour. Photo: Shubhangi Karmakar