DublinEntertainment

Theatre entertainment in Dublin

  1. A

    Gaiety Theatre

    Opened in 1871, this theatre is used for modern plays, TV shows, musical comedies and revues.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Abbey Theatre

    Ireland's national theatre resides in a large concrete box by the river. It puts on new Irish works, as well as revivals of classic Irish plays by writers such as WB Yeats, JM Synge, Sean O'Casey, Brendan Behan and Samuel Beckett. Tickets for evening performances cost up to €25, except on Monday, when they're cheaper. The smaller Peacock Theatre is part of the same complex and stages more fringe work.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Civic Theatre

    This purpose-built 350-seat theatre is inconveniently located in the southern suburb of Tallaght, but its state-of-the-art facilities are top-notch and include an art gallery. The plays it puts on, an interesting mix of Irish and European works, are uniformly good. The easiest way to get here is by Luas: the theatre is at the terminus of the red line.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Ambassador Theatre

    The Ambassador started life as a theatre and then became a cinema. Not much has changed inside, making it a cool retro place to see visiting and local rock acts perform.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Olympia Theatre

    This theatre specialises in light plays and, at Christmastime, pantomimes.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Draíocht Theatre

    This multipurpose arts centre (named after the Irish word for ‘magic’) is one of the most interesting venues in the city. Two separate theatres feature all kinds of work, from reinterpretations of classic plays to brand-new material by cutting-edge writers and performers.

    reviewed

  7. G

    International Bar

    This is one of several pubs that host theatrical performances; it also hosts comedy on Wednesday evening at 9.30pm (admission €9).

    reviewed

  8. H

    Focus Theatre

    The small Focus Theatre is committed to showcasing the work of new Irish playwrights, which is thoroughly laudable even if the quality of the work isn’t always top notch. Still, the company offers challenging work and is well worth checking out.

    reviewed

  9. I

    New Theatre

    Sitting above the left-wing Connolly Books, this refurbished little theatre puts on a pretty palatable fare of ‘fun’ plays and in-your-face work that might challenge social conventions but will hardly disturb the more serious critics.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Project Arts Centre

    This art gallery centre puts on excellent productions of experimental plays by up-and-coming Irish and foreign writers.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Helix

    The Helix, Dublin City University's new theatre venue in Glasnevin, has already established its reputation as a serious theatre with its mix of accessible and challenging productions. To get here, take bus 11, 13, 13A or 19A from O'Connell St.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Gate Theatre

    To the north of the Liffey, the Gate Theatre specialises in international classics and older Irish works with a touch of comedy by playwrights such as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw and Oliver Goldsmith, although newer plays are sometimes staged too. Prices vary according to what's on, but they're usually around €20.

    reviewed

  14. M

    Pavilion Theatre

    Like the Draíocht Theatre and Civic Theatre, this modern space in the seaside suburb of Dun Laoghaire offers a dynamic programme of theatre and performance art.

    reviewed

  15. N

    Players' Theatre

    The Trinity College Players' Theatre hosts student productions throughout the academic year, as well as the most prestigious plays from the Dublin Theatre Festival in October.

    reviewed

  16. O

    Samuel Beckett Theatre

    Used mainly by drama students, the theatre also features the occasional show by established troupes. It’s all pretty cerebral stuff.

    reviewed

  17. P

    Tivoli Theatre

    Experimental and less commercial performances take place here.

    reviewed

  18. Q

    Peacock Theatre

    The Peacock Theatre stages fringe work.

    reviewed

  19. R

    Grand Canal Theatre

    Daniel Liebeskind's masterful design is a three-tiered, 2000-capacity auditorium where you're as likely to be entertained by the Bolshoi or a touring state opera as you are to see Disney on Ice or Barbra Streisand. It's a magnificent venue – designed for classical, paid for by the classics.

    reviewed