Guide to Dublin’s eatres

A guide to the theatres of the city

Planning an evening out? Why not theatre? Planning a night out is diffi cult. Finding the right friends, picking the right spot, having the right prinks and the right outfi t ... not to mention the sheer cost of the drinks! All this, and things could still fall apart when someone starts crying about spotting their awful ex. So why not use that money for an evening out instead, perhaps an experience that will leave you with a lighter feeling, or at least a more enriching one? Sure, a night at the theatre might still leave you in tears... but they’re so much sweeter. Unsure where to start? Well, here’s a guide to your city centre venues.

You probably know the obvious locations. Let’s start with the biggest around. Th e Bord Gáis Th eatre, founded in 2010, located down at what has unaff ectionately been dubbed the Silicon Docks, is the main destination for larger international shows and productions. Th ey’re host to touring productions from the West End, operas, ballet and larger productions that need a space of that size, or just a big audience. Th is Christmas, for their big annual show, they’re bringing Mamma Mia! So get ready to ABBA down.

Speaking of Ab-‘s, the Abbey Th eatre is an always reliable spot for well-budgeted pieces. Our national

theatre was founded in 1904 by W. B. Yeats and Lady Gregory. Ever since the “Waking the Feminists” movement a few years back, the theatre seemed to be more committed than ever to bringing diverse Irish voices to Irish audiences. Yet, they’re still a bit behind in representing the changing face of our nation. Th e theatre has faced criticism in recent years for bringing in more international productions and works—Let Th e Right One In from 2017, and Come From Away last Christmas, 2018. Th ey are on the journey, however, and in recent times they’ve shown more commitment to capturing authentic experiences of forgotten Irish people. Last Orders at the Dockside is a perfect example, telling tales of the men working at the docks whose old lives are being washed away. We also mustn’t forget to mention the Abbey’s baby, the Peacock stage, located in the basement belly of the beast, is a lovely stage which welcomes more experimental work.

Th e Gaiety was founded in 1871, which makes it the oldest continually operating theatre in the city. Dublin natives will probably remember attending the place in our youths for a panto or two. Operationally, it splits the diff erence between the Bord Gáis and the Abbey; being a home for both international tours and home-grown productions. Th ey have a more rotational set of pieces than a lot

of other venues on this list, with choices largely driven by commercial interests (three months of Riverdance really shows their hand). Th ey do however occasionally produce plays and original work, especially as part of theatre festivals, between their large tours and business driven shows; it’s worth keeping an eye out for them, amidst the large-budget fun.

Th e Gate, that old stalwart of Cavendish Road, has been around since 1928 when it was founded by Edwards and MacLiomar. Generally seen as the centre for middle-upper class theatre, they’ve been undergoing a shake-up in identity the last few years

under new director Selina Cartmell. Between the enormous fi nancial success of immersive theatre piece Th e Great Gatsby, breakout hit Th e Snapper (scheduled all summer long this year) and a couple of less successful but exaggeratedly weird choices, the Gate has shown a willingness to experiment in their more traditional space, both pushing for commercial pieces and looking to more wilder choices. Th e manager still wears a tux and greets guests in person however; a bit of tradition never goes amiss.

If you’re looking for another venue with a certain amount of class, but can’t make an evening show,

look to Bewley’s Coff ee in the centre of the city. Th ey have daily lunchtime performances of new plays and old in their small venue upstairs. Plus you can follow the show up with the café’s signature cherry bun. What’s not to love!

Th ere are other larger venues around the city that occasionally play host to larger shows: the Olympia, Vicar Street and the 3 Arena. But most of what these places put on are the gigs you’ve already been to, playing host to comedians and musicians. Still it’s worth keeping an eye for the next Missus Brown, if you’re a fan, that is. Also in the same bracket, but with a far smaller size, is Liberty Hall at SIPTU’s

Right here on campus we have two spots constantly churning out theatre: the Samuel Beckett and Player’s Th eatre. Th e Sam Beckett opens its doors to Trinity theatre students and outside companies alike, with plenty of interesting work taking place in the old building. Th e theatre is particularly involved with theatre festivals such as the Dublin Fringe. Upstairs is Players– which I’m sure you’ve heard of. Everyone on campus knows at least one person in a freshers’ show. Down the road is Th e Lír, a Trinity affi liated school of dramatic arts. Th ey oft en open their student’s productions to the public; a brilliant chance to see thee next big thing. O’Reilly Th eatre, a for-hire theatre located at the

On the smaller scale of the spectrum, the city centre has plenty of spots for independent and intimate theatre. Smock Alley, located at the end of Temple Bar on the bank of the Liff ey, has a particularly colourful history. Founded in 1662 at the Th eatre Royal, it’s since been a whiskey warehouse and a Church, before it was returned to its roots in 2012. Since then the theatre’s made its mark, becoming a hub of youthful creativity with the annual Scene+Heard festival, where almost a hundred pieces of new works are put on over Smock’s two stages. Th e next one is coming up in February; support your local dramatists! Belvedere school campus, is also a prime spot for both larger scale student productions, and independent professional work. It’s where our own TMT host their always entertaining annual production. To be honest with you, the sheer amount of theatrical spaces this city has, has surprised me. I haven’t even gotten to talk about the great work being done in theatre’s out in the suburbs, the Draíocht in Blanchardstown, Pavilion in Dun Laoghaire, Axis in Ballymun… and so many more. Th e options are out there. Too oft en the image of a theatre crowd are of heterosexual couples in their Project Arts Centre, a multidisciplinary centre for, well, the arts, is also located in Temple Bar. Th e space has two stages, with a commitment to developing new artistic voices. Th e organisation has been around 1966, and they’ve been at their temple bar spot since 1974. Th e current building has been there since 2000–and we hope it remains there for a long time to come. Right beside Project is the New Th eatre, a small performing space even more dedicated to bringing fresh eyes to new works, with aff ordable ticket prices. Also in Temple Bar (see, it’s still a centre for the arts in Dublin!) is Th e Ark, a children’s theatre. Want to give your tots a day out, or treat your little sibling on their birthday? It’s the perfect spot. 60’s chuckling along to good-natured ribs at politicians; theatre is for everyone. No matter what your knowledge of the classics is like, or if you feel like you won’t fi t in or understand; don’t worry. Just take a chance on something, maybe somewhere small off the beaten track. You’ll probably fi nd more there than in Coppers. Probably.