With a 25-minute immersive experience to an Irish production of a beloved musical and a new show based on the short fiction of Blindboy Boatclub, there truly is something for everyone here – even if you’re not an avid theatregoer.
Animals
Based on the bestselling short fiction of Blindboy Boatclub, Animals is a new show coming to the Abbey Theatre this autumn. Running as part of Dublin Theatre Festival (from 23 September to 7 November), it features an ensemble cast including Pat Shortt, Emer Dineen, Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle, John Doran and more. Adapted and directed by Dan Colley, it’s a provocative and absurdist spectacle in which audiences can expect “the bizarreness of life and humanity’s true animalistic nature to be unmasked”.
According to the online description: “Hidden mythologies emerge as we follow Erskine Fogarty and his fridge-freezer on the long road to Limerick, the vengeful Pamela Furlong become a dogman, a poitín maker haunted by a cormorant and a dangerous liaison between two titans of Irish history.”
Intriguing, to say the least. Tickets are on sale now and you can get yours here.
Tír an Traonaigh / Land of the Corncrakes
This August, audiences are invited aboard a bus for an unforgettable theatrical journey through the rich landscape of North Mayo.
A groundbreaking new show tackling biodiversity, relationships and language, Tír an Traonaigh/Land of the Corncrakes is inspired by one of nature’s most extraordinary migrations and blends theatre, music and movement into one magnificent show.
Commissioned by An Taibhdhearc, The Irish National Language Theatre, it was written by Tom Swift, directed by Jo Mangan, and will be performed entirley through Irish. Running 19–23 August 2026, the show takes place across multiple locations in and around Belmullet, Co Mayo with audiences travelling together through the landscape as each story is revealed.
At the heart of the story are two sisters, Annie and Deirbhle, whose long-running feud over land, nature and a noisy little bird sets them on an emotional field trip through the North Mayo countryside. Central to their story is the Corncrake, whose annual migration between Africa and the Mullet Peninsula becomes a powerful symbol of biodiversity, memory and belonging. The Corncrake means different things for each of the women – for environmentalist Deirbhle, the bird’s distinctive ‘Crex Crex’ call brings back memories of their father and happier times. For Annie, it’s an annoyance that stands in the way of progress and practicality on their struggling farm in Emlyclough (Imleach Chloch). But when Deirbhle goes missing while on a field trip in Africa, everything changes.
Tickets start at €15 and you can get yours here.
Flight
A critically acclaimed immersive theatre experience coming to Galway International Arts Festival, Flight opens for its European premiere this July.
Produced by pioneering producers of immersive experiences, Darkfield, the show takes place in a converted shipping container – the interior of which has been designed to resemble an airplane cabin. Throughout the show, the audience is plunged into total darkness, before 360° binaural sound and sensory effects combine to create the illusion of being on a flight. The evolving narrative takes audiences through two worlds, two realities and two possible outcomes to their journey.
Running from 13-26 July at the Festival Garden in Eyre Square, you can find full details and book your ticket here.
Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes
One of many cultural events organised as part of Boyle Arts Festival (running 16-25 July), Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes takes place on 17 July in King House.
Set in Paris in 1898, it sees Will Govan play an exiled Oscar Wilde, who looks back on his extraordinarily colourful life as he ruminates on love, fame, family and misfortunate. A hilarious, but ultimately tragic story, the play draws on Wilde’s letters, essays and anecdotes to bring this literary genius to life in a 60-minute performance.
Promising 10 days of exceptional arts and cultural experiences, this year’s schedule will showcase an eclectic mix of visual art, music, theatre, literature, comedy and family-friendly events. Other standout events range from opera to live music, art trails and even a knitting workshop with Liz Nugent. Find the full programme and ticket information here.
The Sound of Music
The hills come alive at Cork Opera House this summer, courtesy of The Sound of Music. A massive production with a cast of 32 adult roles and 12 kids roles, the show stars acclaimed soprano and clasical Brit Award nominee, Wendy Carr, as Maria with West End star Matt Blaker (a cast member of The Crown) as Captain Von Trapp. One of Ireland’s great Sopranos, Majella Cullagh, plays Mother Abbess, alongside Jean Elliott as Sister Sophia, Carrie Mullane as Sister Berthe and Emma Nash as Sister Margaretta.
A spectacular production of atimeless classic, it’s brought to ife with dazzling sets, vibrant costumes and unforgettable performances. New dates have already been added due to phenomenal demand but don’t delay as tickets are selling fast. Get yours here.
A Filthy Dirty Rumour
Running 22-25 July at Lyric Theatre in Belfast, A Filthy Dirty Rumour is a show about the power of a lie.
Set in the 1950s, the story centres on Ruth and Oscar, a couple whose marriage is quietly falling apart. Childless, sexless and hollowed by silence, they live more as strangers than as lovers. One evening, Ruth invites Eva in for a drink. In a rare moment of vulnerability, she is comforted. But when her devout sister Alma witnesses the scene, she interprets it as something more – and sets in motion a chain of events that unravels the lives of everyone involved.
Written and directed by Nathan Martin, this bold and intimate drama explores the mental health struggles within the queer community, confronting themes of internalised homophobia, sexual identity and the fragile search for happiness and love in a society ruled by repression and fear. Book your tickets here.
Fawlty Towers
John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers comes to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre 28 July – 1 August.
Fifty years since it first graced our TV screens, Fawlty Towers is back, this time in the form of a brand-new stage play adapted by comedy legend John Cleese and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger. Fresh from a sold-out West End season and universally acclaimed by every London and national critic, this laugh-out-loud production sees Basil, Major and Polly – alongside an 18-strong cast – bring all of your favourite moments to life… with sharp wit, chaos and calamity at every turn.
Tickets start from €29.80 and you can get yours here.
