Behind the Dark Strange things happen in the woods at night. Even so, this is likely to be one of the strangest things you'll ever see in the Phoenix Park in the pm. Aerial acrobatics emerge from the darkness as the Loosysmokes Performance Company explores the instability of a mind and its wanderings. Spooky; surreal; special. Meet at the Parkgate Street entrance to the Phoenix Park, Sep 9-12, 16-19, 10pm
Scotch & Soda The brighter, breezier side of circus is on show as Company 2 opens the 2015 Spiegeltent programme with an easygoing cocktail of comedy, jazz, music-hall and acrobatics. Featuring the Crusty Suitcase Band, a troupe of musicians as anarchic as they are accomplished. Scotch & Soda has already hit the spot at festivals in Edinburgh and Australia, and the chances are it will prove just as popular with Dublin drinkers . . . ahem, audiences. Spiegeltent, Sep 8-13, 15-19, 7pm
Grounded George Brant's intense, compelling play moves from misogyny to misanthropy as it examines the moral issues around liberty, fraternity and drone warfare. Grounded provides a scorching role for a female actress – Anne Hathaway earned rave reviews for her off-Broadway interpretation earlier this year – and with Clare Dunne acting and Selima Cartmell directing, this Fringe production offers two first-rate Irish theatrical women for the price of one. Project Arts Centre Space Upstairs Sep 7-12, 18.30, 20.45
Mother You What could be more Fringe than a promenade show in a disused commercial building? Sign up for this one, and you'll find yourself in a prophetic township peopled by turfcutters, corrupt leaders, elders who can sing the future and kids who make the rules. Louise White won a Spirit of the Fringe award for her 2013 show Way Back Home, and Mother You promises an immersive fusion of live performance, installation, video art and ritual. Meeting point to be announced, Sept 9-14, 16-20, 7 pm and 9pm
It Folds Two of our most innovative dance companies, Brokentalkers and junk ensemble, join forces to tell the story of a group of strangers brought together to perform a series of physical tasks, texts and songs. It's poignant, but it's also funny. Life in the city, folks. What can we say? Peacock, Sep 7-12, 7pm
You're Not Alone This just may be the most uncomfortable show of 2015. Kim Noble's provocative look at loneliness contains scenes which may well make your eyes water – in more ways than one. It's over-18s only, and contains "adult content and material that some audience members may find offensive", warns the programme. But look. Go in with an open mind. For everyone who's offended, there'll be at least one who finds it moving, fearless and tender. Peacock, Sep 16-19, 9pm
Tend/Liminal Double bill of dance, film, singing and more besides. Tend finds Emma Fitzgerald and Antje O'Toole asking the big questions about identity and culture, celebrating our need for empathy and inclusion. In Liminal, Liadain Herriott portrays a classical lass in a modern world, trying to find her way in, out and through the darkness. Samuel Beckett Theatre, Sept 7-10. 8.30pm
Hootenanay Looking for a guilt-free good time? Then join this special fund-raiser for the Fringe's 21st birthday. There will be music. There will be comedy. And when else will you get a chance to kick up your hootenanny heels, for heaven's sake? Spiegeltent, Sept 20, 8.30pm
The Matador In a tiny Irish cottage on the side of a mountain, you don't expect to find a picture of a matador on the wall, waving his red whatsit at an enormous beast. But that's the starting-point for Shane O'Reilly's new play in the Fringe Show in a Bag strand, which also features a grandmother, a grandson and a bull. Bewley's Café Theatre @ Powerscourt, Sept 8-10, 8pm; Sept 12, 6 pm; Sept 13, 1 pm and 6 pm; Sept 14, 8pm
The Walls Have Ears We started with strange – so let's finish with weird and wonderful. You'll be guaranteed an experience like no other at this site-specific promenade of improvised music in a spectacularly dilapidated Georgian townhouse. Experience explosions, interactions and moments of quiet lyricism with a group of highly experienced musicians, including the Dutch cellist Ernst Reijseger – who has worked with Werner Herzog – and Crash Ensemble keyboardist Justin Carroll. Warning: the hairs on the back of your neck may never recover. 13 North Great Georges Street, Sept 9-11, 7.30 and 9.15pm
