HIGHLIGHTS from the 68th Dublin Theatre Festival which opens today and runs for 18 nights

Róise Goan Director of Dublin Theatre Festival

The Dublin Theatre Festival, running from 25 September to 12 October, will bring a varied programme of Irish and international theatre, music, and dance to venues across Dublin. In its 68th year, this event, one of Europe’s oldest specialised theatre festivals, offers a platform for new and established artists, presenting over 30 productions that explore themes such as family, identity, and societal issues. Visitors can expect a range of performances, talks, and walking tours designed to engage diverse audiences in Ireland’s capital.

Tonight’s productions include:

Macbeth by William Shakespeare, directed by Garry Hynes, cast including Marie Mullen as Lady Macbeth and Marty Rea as Macbeth, 7:30pm, €21.50–€51.50: Druid’s electrifying take on Shakespeare’s tragedy of ambition and tyranny pulses with unrelenting menace, where a Scottish couple’s ruthless ascent to power unravels in a storm of guilt and betrayal, featuring powerhouse performances that capture the play’s unflagging pace and psychological depth.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, directed by Roberto Cáceres, cast including Juan Diego, Alberto Castillo, and Macarena Paz, 7:30pm, €25–€40: Teatro La Plaza’s Peruvian production reimagines the Danish prince’s tale of revenge and existential doubt against a stark, contemporary backdrop, emphasizing themes of corruption and mortality through innovative staging that blends physical theatre with Shakespeare’s poetic introspection.
The Making of Pinocchio by Oreet, directed by Dan Canham and Kate McLlurg, cast including Oreet (puppeteer and performer), 7:30pm, €20–€35: This immersive family-friendly show from Scottish Dance Theatre crafts a whimsical yet poignant origin story of the wooden puppet’s journey to boyhood, using dance, puppetry, and live music to delve into themes of creation, identity, and the blurred lines between maker and creation, perfect for sparking wonder in audiences of all ages.
White Washing by Rébecca Chaillon and Aurore Déon, directed by Rébecca Chaillon, cast including performers in a devised ensemble, 8:00pm, €18–€28: A daring French physical theatre piece that confronts racial and cultural erasure through visceral movement and raw embodiment, exploring the “whitening” of bodies and histories in a provocative ritual that challenges perceptions of skin, power, and belonging on stage.
I Fall Down: A Restoration Comedy by Gina Moxley, directed by Gina Moxley, cast including a company of actors from The Abbey Theatre and Trinity College Dublin, 7:00pm, €15–€25: This site-specific promenade adventure through Trinity College Dublin transforms 18th-century Restoration wit into a chaotic, laughter-filled odyssey of scandal and satire, where fallen women and roguish lords navigate love and lunacy in a riotous blend of historical farce and modern mischief.
What Are You Afraid Of? by Fearghas Evans, directed by Andrea Tierney, cast including Peter Hanly, 6:00pm, €20–€30: In this intimate Rough Magic production, veteran actor Peter Hanly confronts his real-life battle with performance anxiety in a candid solo exploration of fear, vulnerability, and the courage to return to the stage, weaving personal memoir with theatrical reflection to question the shadows that haunt artists and audiences alike.
The Boy – Play One by Marina Carr, directed by Annabelle Comyn, cast including actors from The Abbey Theatre ensemble, 7:30pm, €25–€45: The Abbey Theatre’s premiere of the first installment in Marina Carr’s ambitious new cycle plunges into the mythic and maternal bonds of Irish folklore, following a young boy’s fraught coming-of-age amid ancient curses and familial strife, in a poetic drama that echoes the raw emotional landscapes of Carr’s signature style.

The full 2025 programme is available on dublintheatrefestival.ie, with more than 30 productions and an anticipated 50,000 attendees. The fetival features premieres of Irish works, such as those by companies like Druid or Thisispopbaby, alongside international offerings.

Tickets range from €15 to €40, can be booked online, by phone (.+353 1 677 8439), or at Festival House in Temple Bar, open from 12pm to 6pm during August to October. Venues like the Abbey Theatre, Samuel Beckett Theatre, and Project Arts Centre are accessible by Dublin’s public transport, with many offering wheelchair access or audio-described performances.

Visitors can anticipate an engaging experience that combines thought-provoking theatre with the vibrant atmosphere of Dublin’s cultural scene. The festival’s Slingshot Residency, in partnership with Creative Europe, supports emerging artists, with 2025 participants like Eoghan Carrick and Lauren Moukarzel developing innovative projects such as immersive performances. Events often spill into post-show discussions in nearby pubs, fostering a communal spirit. The festival’s commitment to accessibility ensures a broad appeal, though some shows may include mature themes, so checking programme details is advised.

The Dublin Theatre Festival was founded in 1957 by theatre impresario Brendan Smith, with support from figures like hotelier PV Doyle, to promote cultural understanding through theatre in post-World War II Europe. Initially a modest event, it faced challenges, such as the 1958 withdrawal of Samuel Beckett’s play due to church objections, as revealed in a letter donated to Trinity College Dublin. Over decades, it has grown into a cornerstone of Ireland’s cultural landscape, premiering works by playwrights like Brian Friel and Marina Carr while hosting global artists such as Peter Brook and Robert Wilson.

The festival has been instrumental in showcasing Irish theatre internationally, with productions like Waiting for Godot gaining worldwide recognition. Róise Goan, appointed Artistic Director and Chief Executive in February, now leads the festival, succeeding Willie White. Goan, a Dublin native with experience at the Edinburgh Fringe and Arts Council England, aims to deepen the festival’s impact, as noted by board chair Una Carmody, who praised her “intelligent programming” and knowledge of the city.

The festival’s history reflects its dual role as a window to world theatre and a champion of Irish storytelling. Supported by the Arts Council, Dublin City Council, and partners like Fáilte Ireland, it remains a charitable organisation (CHY 6331) committed to artistic innovation. Its Prospero NEW membership, a European platform launched in Sofia, underscores its focus on emerging talent. Visitors can expect a festival that celebrates Dublin’s stories while inviting reflection on universal themes, with Festival House at 12 Essex Street East serving as its hub. For updates and bookings, dublintheatrefestival.ie is the primary resource.