Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Entertainment
Believe it or not, there is life beyond the pub or, more accurately,
around it. There are comedy clubs and classical concerts, recitals and readings,
marionettes and music - lots and lots of music. The other great Dublin treat is
the theatre, where you can enjoy a light-hearted musical alongside the more seri-
ous stuff by Beckett, Yeats and O'Casey - not to mention a host of new talents.
Theatre
Despite Dublin's rich theatrical heritage, times are tough for the city's thespians. Once
upon a time, everybody went to the theatre to see the latest offering by Synge, Yeats or
O'Casey. Nowadays, a night at the theatre is the preserve of the passionate few, which has
resulted in the city's bigger theatres taking a conservative approach to their programming
and many fringe companies having to make do with non-theatrical spaces to showcase their
skills - and that's if they manage to stay afloat at all: 24 companies went to the wall
between 2009 and 2013 due to the recession.
Nevertheless, a Dublin performance of, say,
Plough and the Stars
or
The Playboy of the
Western World
remains a special experience. The Abbey and the Gate are the city's most
important theatres, but you'll also find shows in pubs, offices and other spaces appropriated
for the purpose.
Theatre bookings can usually be made by quoting a credit-card number over the phone,
then you can collect your tickets just before the performance. Expect to pay anything
between €12 and €25 for most shows, with some costing as much as €30. Most plays begin
between 8pm and 8.30pm. Check
www.irishtheatreonline.com
to see what's playing.
THEATRE FESTIVALS
For two weeks in October most of the city's theatres participate in the
Dublin Theatre Festival
(
www.dublintheatrefestival.com
)
, originally founded in 1957 and today a glittering parade of qual-
ity productions and elaborate shows.
Initially a festival for those shows too 'out-there' or insignificant to be considered for the
more than 100 events and over 700 performances. The established critics may keep their
ink for the bigger do, but we strongly recommend the Fringe for its daring and diversity.
