Christmas Comes Early Some things old, some things new, some things borrowed and some things straight out of the blue. The Abbey Theatre’s 2018 programme, launched just in time for Christmas, might well be a case of Christmas coming early for theatre lovers. Featuring old favourites alongside some of the best of the new, The Abbey consolidates its new approach as directors Graham McLaren and Neil Murray move into their second year at the programming helm. Once again, it’s a programme marked by shorter runs, and lots of them, as The Abbey sets about spreading the love around. Old relationships with Dublin Dance Festival, Fishamble, Theatre Lovett, Annabelle Comyn, Caitríona McLaughlin, Landmark Productions, Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Belfast, Tom Kilroy, Marina Carr, Oona Doherty, Phillip McMahon, Tara Flynn, The Lir, 24 Hour Plays and THISISPOPBABY are further cemented in 2018. Yet next year also sees many new relationships being forged with ANU, Gare St Lazare, Gina Moxley, Iseult Golden and David Horan, Louise O’Neill and Meadhbh McHugh, Margaret Perry, MusicTown, Teac Damsa, The Everyman and The Gaiety all working with the national theatre for the first time. Whether it's seeing firm favorites like Dermot Bolger’s adaptation of Ulysses, or the exquisite Swan Lake/Loch na hEala, recognized classics like Marina Carr’s On Raftery’s Hill, or Tom Kilroy’s Double Cross, or encountering many of the new works on offer like the excellent Class by Iseult Golden and David Horan, or The Lost O’Casey by ANU, there is certainly something here for everyone. Class Written and Directed by Iseult Golden and David Horan January 24th to February 3rd Peacock Theatre 24 Hour Plays January 28th Abbey Theatre Haughey/Gregory A new play by Colin Murphy presented by Fishamble: The New Play Company February 8th to 10th Peacock Theatre The Abbey Theatre Presents: Swan Lake/Loch na hEala Teac Damsa - Michael Keegan-Dolan February 8th to 17th Abbey Theatre Porcelain By Margaret Perry, an Abbey Theatre Production. February 16th to March 10th Peacock Theatre Not a Funny Word By Tara Flynn Part of THISISPOPBABY's Where We Live programme March 6th to 10th The Complex The Unmanageable Sisters Adapted from Michel Tremblay’s play by Deirdre Kinahan February 26th to April 7th Abbey Theatre. Opera Briefs David Adams, conductor Presented by the Royal Irish Academy of Music in collaboration with the Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College Dublin and in association with the Abbey Theatre March 27th to 29th Peacock Theatre Here All Night, The Sound of Becket t By Gare St Lazare Ireland April 11th to 14th Abbey Theatre MusicTown Aiken Promotions in partnership with Dublin City Council April 17th to 21st Abbey Theatre Open Studio Dublin Dance Festival in association with the Abbey Theatre April 20th and 21st Peacock Theatre On Raftery’s Hill By Marina Carr April 27th to May 19th Abbey Theatre Catedral Patricia Guerrero (Spain) Dublin Dance Festival in association with the Abbey Theatre May 15th and 16th Abbey Theatre Hard to Be Soft – A Belfast Prayer Oona Doherty (Northern Ireland) Dublin Dance Festival in association with the Abbey Theatre May 18th and 19th Abbey Theatre Ulysses Adapted by Dermot Bolger in an Abbey Theatre production June 11th to July 21st Abbey Theatre. The Lost O’Casey ANU Productions and the Abbey Theatre June 18th to 30th Peacock Theatre and beyond Come On Home By Phillip McMahon (an Abbey Theatre Commission) July 13th to August 4th Peacock Theatre Jimmy’s Hall An Abbey Theatre Production July 26th to September 8th Abbey Theatre FRNKNSTN By Michael West, Abbey Theatre presents Theatre Lovett August 17th to September 1st Peacock Theatre The Patient Gloria Written and developed by Gina Moxley, presented by The Abbey Theatre September 28th to October 6th Peacock Theatre Rathmines Road By Deirdre Kinahan Presented by Fishamble: The New Play Company October 9th to 27th Peacock Theatre Double Cross By Thomas Kilroy An Abbey Theatre and Lyric Theatre coproduction October 31st to November 10th Peacock Theatre Asking for It By Louise O’Neill Adapted for the Theatre by Meadhbh McHugh and Annabelle Comyn Landmark Productions and the Everyman in association with the Abbey Theatre November 7th to 24th Abbey Theatre With box office now open for many, if not all shows, timely Christmas presents are to be easily had for any theatre lover, oneself included. Judging by the impressive line up, it would certainly be advisable to book early. For more information, visit The Abbey Theatre #TheAbbeyTheatre #Article