Two days ago I was indulging in some internet personal time while my boss was in a meeting. I did my usual trick of checking what concerts, films and plays were currently playing. It wasn’t my intention to book anything – this was more for my edification. I read the blurb for ‘Trad’ which had opened on Tuesday. Idly I clicked on the ‘book tickets’ button to check prices. Interestingly all dates for the fifteen day run were showing as ‘sold out’. With the exception of Thursday night, where there was a handful of tickets remaining. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Trad’ at the Peacock
Category Archives: Dublin
A good Friday
Last weekend I took a day trip to Limerick to attend the party of the year – the first birthday party for my nephew. While at home I found a newspaper which contained an article listing the top 30 walks to do in Ireland. I had done all the Dublin recommendations. With one exception – the Castleknock to Leixlip walk along the Royal Canal. Continue reading A good Friday
Theatrical: ‘Dublin will show you how’
For the third time in a week, I was at an Abbey production (but don’t worry about my looming bankruptcy – thanks to my dull cunning, the combined cost for these shows was 27 euro). This evening for my theatrical entertainment I was in attendance at ‘Dublin will show you how’. This was an off-site production for the Abbey – being held in the Complex – who co-produced the show. It was written by Tracy Martin and directed by Vanessa Fielding of the Complex. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Dublin will show you how’
Theatrical: ‘Ulster American’ and ‘In our veins’
On Tuesday I attended the Abbey Theatre (main stage) to see ‘Ulster American’ – a black, farcical comedy by David Ireland, directed by Gareth Nicholls. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Ulster American’ and ‘In our veins’
IDGTF: ‘The Number’
On May 6th this year (it’s a bank holiday) the 16th International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival opens. Running for 2 weeks, it features twenty plays across four venues. I took part in the festival in 2017 as both actor and writer with my first full length play ‘An unexpected party’ at the Teachers’ Club on Parnell Square. It was an absolute blast. So much so that I submitted another piece this year. Which to my delight has been accepted for inclusion in this year’s festival. So back at the Teachers’ Club from May 6th to May 11th, for 8 shows, my play ‘The Number’ will be showing. Continue reading IDGTF: ‘The Number’
Chronicles of the Wastelands: A passion for fashion
I scowled at her as she boarded the bus, mentally willing her to go upstairs, or at least as far away from me, as is humanly possible on a double decker bus. Of course she couldn’t hear my internal monologue. She was too busy roaring at her friend who she had on speakerphone. Ignorant as it may be to make the conversation audible to the rest of the bus, it wasn’t quite as bad as he own voice which had the timbre of a high pitched shriek. I have no doubt that my anti-social, early morning personality may have been informing my mood this morning, but this was a real endurance test. On what planet is it acceptable to force other people to listen to both sides of an inane babble about ITune purchases. Especially when your speaking voice resembles nails on a blackboard. Continue reading Chronicles of the Wastelands: A passion for fashion
Theatrical: ‘The Country Girls’
I have never read ‘The Country Girls’ by Edna O’Brien. This book was published in 1960, and was the debut novel by the Clare writer. Notorious upon its release for its depiction of the sexual awakening of a pair of young Irish women in catholic Ireland, it was banned by the censorship board for being a dirty, filthy book. Naturally when read through the prism of 2019, it is very tame indeed. Well the book has been adapted by the Abbey Theatre. Last night I went to see it. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘The Country Girls’
Neneh Cherry – who’s looking good today, who’s looking good in every way.
Some months ago I was doing some research on upcoming gigs for the year 2019. So far my calendar has been marked for a number of dates that are unmissable – John Grant, Villagers, Sophie Ellis Bextor. Other acts were mentally noted with a promise to reconsider closer to the event when a clearer inventory of availability and money could be taken. Continue reading Neneh Cherry – who’s looking good today, who’s looking good in every way.
Theatrical: ‘Fat Blokes’
December 2015 was a funny time. I’d been back in Dublin for a month, after years in Amsterdam, feeling like I’d made the biggest mistake of my life coming home. It was the dead of winter – always a miserable time. I was working in the industrial wastelands of county Dublin with my bullying colleagues Mouth-Breather and Potato-Head (not their real names); and I was flat-sharing in the leafy suburb of Castleknock with the deranged FlatEnemy who lectured me constantly about how he was going to be a millionaire. I was less than content. I remember one evening seeing a YouTube link called ‘I’ve been radicalised’ starring the artist Scottee, describing his rage at being bullied and abused for being a fat, camp gay guy. It was powerful, in the way that honesty mixed with anger tends to be. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Fat Blokes’
Theatrical: ‘140 Characters’ and ‘Dog Boy’
‘A ticket for one please’ said I, with a devil-may-care, jaunty attitude. It was 7.25. The show was not starting until 7.45. I had oodles of time.
‘Sorry sir, I have just sold the last ticket.’
I was horrified. Not only was the show sold out, but I had been addressed as ‘Sir’ by the youth at the counter. I am not a ‘sir’. I am young, fresh, vibrant and vivacious – in my own head at least. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘140 Characters’ and ‘Dog Boy’
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