- Chris ORourke
The Abbey Theatre Programme 2018
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 Beckett
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
