Dublin Fringe Festival marks its 30th anniversary this year. The festival, renowned for its delivery of daring, pioneering, experimental yet captivating shows, will present 75 programs from Saturday, September 7th to Sunday, September 22nd. The thrilling assortment includes 520 performances scheduled across 29 unique venues comprising 53 global premieres, nine country-specific premieres, and seven city-specific premieres. The sheer scale of options provided might seem overwhelming, but the following 19 shows should assist in simplifying your choice:
“The Man Who Talks to Statues – Shane Casey”
Show will run at the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, from September 5th-11th. It’s a gripping narrative of Darryl, a voice-over artist residing and working in his attic room, who embarks on an enchanting cross-country journey after crashing his father’s car. With the unique talent of conversing with statues, he interacts with numerous fascinating personalities during his journey. Crafted by Shane Casey, the event surrounds humour with profound introspection.
“Afterwards – Janet Moran & Once Off Productions”
Making its mark at Abbey Theatre’s Peacock stage from September 6th-14th, the drama unfolds in a British abortion clinic’s recovery room. It sensitively portrays how three women spending the night following their critical decision connect on an emotional level. The play triggers improved reproductive rights dialogue not just for Ireland but globally.
“A Good Room – Cian Jordan and Allie O’Rourke”
Starting at Annesley House from September 6th-21st, this show breaks conventional norms as it’s performed in Cian’s bedroom. This inventive solution to venue selection proves an apt backdrop for showcasing an energetic, engaging comedy focusing on friendship, local culture, and household dynamics.
“Coldplay in Croke Park review: Croker loses its collective mind to choruses purpose-built for this kind of night out.”
Andrea Gilligan provides a sympathetic ear but unfortunately, cannot assist parents feeling the pressure of back-to-school guilt.
Following their departure from Harvey’s Point hotel, they discovered their own paradise in the south-west of France.
David Bolger debuts his first piece for fringe in over ten years, “Dancehall Blues”, in the company’s CoisCéim Dance Theatre, spanning September 6th to 21st. The show, which also marks the inaugural joint performance of Stephanie Dufresne and Alex O’Neill, explores the juxtaposition of hope and a distressed world through an intimate duet.
“Gatman!” narrates the intertwined stories of a man navigating his way through sobriety in Cork and Gatman, a superhero powered by alcohol, from September 6th to 10th at the Space Upstairs, Project Arts Centre written and performed by Tadhg Hickey and Sophie Motley. This one-man performance explores how alcohol can change us and how we often fight against the assistance we clearly require.
From September 6th to 13th, a live cabaret musical named “Television” will be showing at the Project Arts Centre, presented by SexyTadhg, challenging audience members to flick through the channels of their minds.
“Illness as Metaphor” is a reinterpretation of Susan Sontag’s 1978 namesake book, performed by Dead Centre at the Project Arts Centre from September 7th to 14th. It examines the metaphors, myths, and language associated with different illnesses that can amplify the sufferings of patients. The show aims to untangle metaphor from reality.
Analogue Kitchen offers “Live & Electric” at the Sugar Club on September 7th.
Treat yourself to a night off from the relentless dystopian realities of the broader universe. Suit up, assemble your mates, and make your way to the Sugar Club for the inaugural late-night festivity of the fringe. The lineup features Analog Kitchen (making their Dublin debut), Greg Oleksevic, Sheehy, Mav, and Papal State.
Ololufé – ArínoláTheatre
The Lir Academy, 7th-11th September
Ololufé is an engaging theatrical performance that brings you directly into the vivid spectacle of a Nigerian nuptial celebration. You will experience everything that comes with such an event, from family pressures to the crucial importance of the cuisine. All attendees are urged to dress for a wedding, so it might be time to dust off those party clothes at the back of your closet.
Ham Sandwiches and Discipline – NAF Dance
Lir Academy, 8th-11th September
Ham Sandwiches and Discipline, a piece by Nóra Ní Anluain Fay, combines comedy, dance, and disco to capture the sheer madness of the GAA, steeped in unique Irish cultural aspects: consuming Tayto at Croker, vocal mothers on the sideline, and adolescent club socials.
Malignant Humour – Hannah Gumbrielle
Boys’ School, Smock Alley Theatre, 8th-15th September
Malignant Humour epitomises the essence of the fringe festival. A blend of theatre and daring trapeze, it depicts the perilous balancing act that is chemotherapy. Hannah Gumbrielle guides us through a personal narrative of blood analyses and biopsies, challenging our perceptions of illness, and lauding the strength of the human spirit.
Shtoom – Paul Currie
Smock Alley Theatre, 9th-10th September
Comedian Paul Currie’s latest show, Shtoom, has been defined as an “extraordinary, anti-conflict, mute plea for global humanity”. Rather unprecedented for a comedy show, Currie remains silent through the hour-long performance, drawing inspiration from Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Lucille Ball to deliver a session full of chaos and happiness.
An Attempt to Talk with the Beginning of the World – Anna Newell Theatre Adventures.
“Draíocht in Blanchardstown will be hosting an event from the 9th to the 11th September, designed especially for infants aged between three to 12 months. This unique experience involves a distinguished team of artists creating a visually stimulating display involving light, dance and numerous ping-pong balls. With previous successful shows by Anna Newell on six continents and off-Broadway, this is sure to be a secure and entertaining event for your children.
Between the 9th and 14th of September, Raphaël Amahl Khouri and Myrto Stampoulou will take you on an intriguing journey, ‘It Was Paradise, Unfortunately’, at the Goethe-Institut. As Khouri’s journey to Greece unfolds, he reveals not only his personal experiences as a trans Arab playwright, but also his exploration of the enigma of Dionysus, diving into the strange and radical roots of western theatre.
‘Julius Caesar Variety Show’, by Joy Nesbitt, is being performed from the 11th to the 14th of September at the New Theatre. The show critically evaluates identities and the contemporary state of theatre as the diverse characters jostle for a role in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.
‘The Maestro & The Mosquita’, a theatrical performance by Theatre Lovett to be held at the Project Arts Centre from the 12th to the 15th of September, reveals an intriguing story about a once-famed conductor haunted every night by a mosquito. The unsettling fact that it’s the female mosquitoes who suck our blood to nourish their offspring reinforces the narrative’s poignancy and hilarity. Aiding to the story’s uniquity is an original score by Stephen Warbeck, an Oscar-winning composer.
Presented by Morgan Savidan and Sasha Carberry Sharma, ‘Beasts’ will be showcased at the Patrick Sutton Studio in Smock Alley Theatre from the 17th to the 21st of September.”
The excitement of the fringe lies in the unexpected delight of a show where you have scant knowledge about its content. The known facts about Beasts? The performers are two multiracial girls, and they will be going on a “journey” with live music from the NCH Gamelan Orchestra. Will the Ramayana deities guide them? Will they form a bridge with their forefathers? Will they find their path back home?
David O’Doherty: Ready, Steady, David O’Doherty
Showing upstairs at the Project Arts Centre from September 17th until the 21st. This creator, humourist and 1990 East Leinster under-14 triple-jump bronze medal holder invites you to his new comedy gig. Guaranteed, he will be playing his musical keyboard and donning a hat. There’s also a strong chance it’ll be very amusing.
Róisín El Cherif
To be held at the Project Arts Centre on September 17th. El Cherif, an artist of Irish-Palestinian descent hailing from Galway, blends Irish and Arabic melodies in a tribute to the deep links between Irish and Palestinian societies. This spectacle, in support of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, blends El Cherif’s unique music, verse, and cinematography, promising to be a high point of the festival.