This last week has seen the curtain drawn on the Dublin Fringe Festival. Were you too busy with freshers week to catch all of the shows that you wanted to see? Too overwhelmed by choice? Don’t worry, it’s now time to reset the stage for the Dublin Theatre Festival!
So, what distinguishes the Dublin Theatre Festival from the Dublin Fringe? Where the Fringe festival focuses on up-and-coming, interdisciplinary, and boundary breaking theatre, the Theatre Festival hosts a more compact range of renowned theatre companies and international productions. The Theatre Festival is now entering its 69ᵗʰ year, with performances running from September 24ᵗʰ to October 11ᵗʰ.
With 26 productions on the official programme, Dublin is spoilt for choice. The University Times have chosen a few productions that have particularly caught our attention and might enhance your festival experience.
Radio Bette
Inspired by a radio recording of “All About Eve”, this ensemble production offers a glimpse into the glittering world of Hollywood. Decidedly not a stage adaptation of the aforementioned play, the cast listens to the recording live, performing a real-time recreation. An intriguing blend of past and present.
Radio Bette will run at the Gaiety Theatre from September 23ʳᵈ to 27ᵗʰ.
The Horse of Jenin
With a blend of storytelling, masks, and stand-up comedy, Alaa Shehada presents a solo show about a young boy growing up in Occupied Palestine. After receiving outstanding reviews at both the 2025 and 2026 run of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, “The Horse of Jenin” is not one to miss.
The Horse of Jenin will run the Dublin Municipal Theatre at Smock Alley from September 24ᵗʰ to 26ᵗʰ.
Lourdes! The Musical
Lourdes holds a special place in most Irish people’s imaginations, but it’s the last place you’d expect Mathew to run away to. After receiving some surprising news, that’s exactly where he finds himself — watching a musical run by pilgrims about St. Bernadette nonetheless!
Lourdes! The Musical will run at the Civic Theatre from September 30ᵗʰ to 3ʳᵈ October and October 6ᵗʰ to 10ᵗʰ.
A Moon for the Misbegotten
A Druid Theatre production, directed by Garry Hynes. Charting the events of a single day and night in a lonely Connecticut household, this production explores loss, conflicting desires and the experiences of Irish immigrants in America. Forming part of Druid’s 2026 Season, “Strange Country: Ireland in America.”
A Moon for the Misbegotten will run at the Gaiety Theatre from October 1ˢᵗ to 4ᵗʰ.
In Development
Classed as a “sneak peek” into upcoming projects that are currently in development. Featuring three plays, “Sister”, “Dúlamán,” and “Heist!”, exploring wildly different topics and themes, this is a fantastic opportunity to see new works for free!
In Development will run at the Dublin Municipal Theatre at Smock Alley on October 3ʳᵈ.
Dublin’s Older Theatre History: A Walking Tour
A slightly different angle when exploring theatre! Hosted by Dublin Decoded Tours, this event aims to highlight Dublin’s long theatrical history. Visiting both theatres and city landmarks, the tour links politics, playwrights, and drama to further highlight how deeply embedded theatre is in Dublin!
Dublin’s Older Theatre History: A Walking Tour is on September 30ᵗʰ and October 3ʳᵈ at 11.15am.
Without Distinction of Sex
A discussion of Article 41 of Bunreacht na nÉireann — an article which recognises and “protects” the Family — through a mixture of spoken text, song, and dance. Backed with an original score, this piece explores how the article “reduced women to domestic and reproductive roles”, as well as how it silenced those who experience non-heternormative lives.
Without Distinction of Sex will run at Draíocht Blanchardstown from October 1ˢᵗ to 3ʳᵈ.
More information can be found at the Dublin Theatre Festival website dublintheatrefestival.ie.
