Covering the Abbey complaints: Journalists need to get a grip when reporting on theatre

Newstalk's The Hard Shoulder showed poor research in its coverage but it did allow host Ivan Yates to interview a theatre worker as if greeting an old peacocking friend. Photo: Newstalk

The Cripple of Inishmaan review: Like watching Pulp Fiction without the brain-splattering gunshot

Martin McDonagh's dark comedy about an intolerant island community receives a tame production. Photo: Pat Redmond 

So Where Do We Begin? review: Wordy psychodrama flirts with big questions

A psychotherapist's patient is stealing memories in Seanan McDonnel's sharply clever play. Photo: Myles Shelly

The Ridleys review: Pushing two rapid monologues towards art-horror

Philip Ridley's companion plays Tonight with Donny Stixx and Dark Vanilla Jungle are staged in one sitting. Photo: Ste Murray 

Womb review: An old-school dystopian play with clear inspiration but misty results

Maud Hendricks's new play is set in Dublin 100 years from now, where a woman is granted asylum for being pregnant. Photo: Jeda de Brí

Nothing but a Toerag review: Witty prison comedy earning the trust of a therapy session

In Aisling O'Mara's new comedy a prisoner confides her problems in a cellmate. 

Abbey Theatre complaints: More in-house productions will clarify employment as well as artistic vision

The directors' artistic vision won't be revealed through the admirable benevolence of coproduction but through their in-house productions. Photo: Ros Kavanagh 

2019 theatre preview: 10 shows to watch out for

Promotional image for Citysong. A Thomas Kilroy adaptation, two Tennessee Williams dramas, and several new plays are on the way. 

The Signalman review: Another Charles Dickens ghost, another counsel

A spectre visits a signalman on the eve of disaster, in Charles Dickens's story. Photo: Alan Craig

Northern Lights review: A dusk-lit drama about two strangers, subtle and compassionate

Stephen Jones's new play brings together two strangers, each harbouring secrets.