Stage Reviews

Refuge review: A thrillingly weird opening becomes a true story from Ireland’s past

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: In her new play, directed by Jim Culleton, Deirdre Kinahan focuses on the persecuted Palatines who arrived in Co Limerick

By Ruby Eastwood

Zinc review: One man’s unusual history becomes a left-field meditation on identity and language

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: Ben Kidd and Bush Moukarzel direct a multinational, plurilingual cast in their adaptation of David Van Reybrouck’s book

By Max McGuinness

Without Distinction of Sex review: A cautious approach to what should be a radical call for change

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: Veronica Coburn asks what happened to the promises about women’s place in the State. But her demands are disappointingly modest

By Ruby Eastwood

Rebellious Hope review: Seven dancers in search of connection with their audience

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: Philip Connaughton’s impressive cast dismantle the divide between performer and spectator

By Michael Seaver

A Moon for the Misbegotten review: Virtuoso performances power an often sublime Druid production

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: Eileen Walsh, Lorcan Cranitch and Marty Rea excel under Garry Hynes’ direction

By Max McGuinness

Lourdes! The Musical: An impressively complex tale of shame

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: Xnthony is a long-time cabaret subversive. Rarely has he been sentimental

By Chris McCormack

Meredith review: Dramatic temperature could be dialled up a notch in comic study of familial dysfunction

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: The stakes never seem particularly high in Annabelle Comyn’s brisk 90-minute staging

By Max McGuinness

Animals review: Blindboy’s full-scale theatrical debut is a bit of a loose baggy monster

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: Abbey production has a thoughtful, accomplished first half, but then it loses focus and coherence

By Max McGuinness

Heroes of Tomorrow review: What does ‘tarnished’ money do to art? Brokentalkers try to find some answers

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: What lingers is not grand declarations of artistic purpose but the quieter channels through which conviction travels

By Michael Seaver

Cyclone review: Who was the real Billy Warren? Was he an IRA gunrunner? The picture is still hazy

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: Anu’s portrait of the boxer has only a patchy historical record to draw on. It might benefit from more dramatic licence

By Max McGuinness

Hysterically Shopping! To Some Sort of End review: This critique of consumer culture is a tough one to sell

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: The actors put in a commendable effort, but the script of this pop opera lets them down

By Ruby Eastwood

Radio Bette, minus Ruth Negga, opens Dublin Theatre Festival with deadpan drollery

Dublin Theatre Festival 2026: As Bette Davis in All About Eve, Marcus Amaglo has an air of imperious dignity while also bringing out the ageing star’s vulnerability

By Max McGuinness

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