September is upon us and with it comes one of the most anticipated arts festivals of the year: The Dublin Fringe Festival. With the breadth of fresh innovative theatre, sidesplitting comedy, dance and awe-inspiring visual art — this is Christmas for all lovers of art and performance. As well as offering a platform for both Irish and international artists, the Fringe strives to make art more accessible through cheaper tickets and by putting shows on at different times so that everyone, no matter what schedule that they work on, has the opportunity to attend.
Here are eight notable events that might help you to make the most of one of Dublin’s greatest cultural landmark events.
Afronauts
Combining theatre and circus, Afronauts tells the story of the space race from the perspective of Edward Mukuka Nkoloso, a Zambian resistance fighter who founded the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space Research and Philosophy. With the hope of sending a young girl and two cats into space, he sought to beat Russia and the United States in their respective missions.
Circus Zambia and Wake the Beast come to Dublin after receiving glowing reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year. Afronauts will not be one to miss.
Afronauts will run at The Civic Theatre from the 10ᵗʰ to the 12ᵗʰ of September.
Novel Ideas
Novel Ideas creates “a new novel in each performance, in real time”. Award-winning theatre-maker Darren Yorke offers an improved performance in which each story is partly written by the audience — you’ll never see the same show twice.
Novel Ideas will run at The Gutter Bookshop from September 10ᵗʰ to 12ᵗʰ, and September 15ᵗʰ to 17ᵗʰ.
Muster
With multidisciplinarity at its core, Muster (brought by Belema Art house) presents a live concept album combining rap and storytelling. Revolving around black masculinity and friendship, this performance explores the depths of what it means to be vulnerable.
Muster will run at The New Theatre from September 9ᵗʰ to 12ᵗʰ.
Crisis Actor
Exploring the work of “crisis actors” (performers who portray a victim in an emergency, to train people in disaster response), Crisis Actor dissects the corresponding rise of online conspiracy theories and societal paranoia. Staged as a viewing of an emergency training exercise, this sixty minute exposition blurs the line between fact and fiction. An immersive experience, with audience engagement and participation.
Crisis Actor will run at the Project Arts Centre from September 5ᵗʰ to 8ᵗʰ, and September 10ᵗʰ to 12ᵗʰ.
Kafka’s Doll
An often quoted story about Franz Kafka and his encounter with a distraught young girl in Berlin, forms the basis for this production. A creation of Theatre Lovett, Kafka’s Doll explores humanity, imagination and the enduring legacy of one of the most influential writers of the 20ᵗʰ century.
Kafka’s Doll will run at The Abbey Theatre, on the Peacock Stage. from September 4ᵗʰ to 5ᵗʰ, and September 7ᵗʰ to 12ᵗʰ.
Growing Pains
An examination of girlhood, love, and growing up, Growing Pains explores the age-old stories of youth and why they continually repeat in every generation. Billed as “funny, feral, and full of girlhood fury.”
Growing Pains runs at the New Theatre from September 9ᵗʰ to 12ᵗʰ.
GaelMaxxing
For those looking for more comedic productions, Síomha Hennessy’s bilingual comedy hour combines both English and Irish. Gaelmaxxing charts the rise in popularity of the Irish language, and the contrasts between Hennessy’s own experiences growing up in an Irish speaking household during the Celtic Tiger era.
Gaelmaxxing runs at Bewley’s Cafe Theatre from September 7ᵗʰ to 12ᵗʰ.
Fishman, Butts and Steel
The self-proclaimed alter egos of well known comedy trio “Foil, Arms and Hog”, this experimental show offers the opportunity to see another side to the comedians’ work. Any successful jokes may just make their way into their next show!
Fishman, Butts and Steel runs at The International Bar from September 7ᵗʰ to 9ᵗʰ, and 14ᵗʰ to 16ᵗʰ September.
For more information on these performances (and more) or to purchase tickets, go to fringefest.com
