Dublin’s historic Abbey Theatre, yesterday announced 26 new projects for the coming year including ten world premieres, a new community-led initiative for developing work, and more “Free First Previews”.
Margaret Perry’s “Porcelain” will be the first world premiere of the year. This play arrived through the Abbey Theatre’s “Scripts and Ideas” year round open call. Opening in February, Porcelain weaves past and present, myth and fact to explore the parallel stories of two Irish women.
Other exciting undertakings for the year include:
“5 x 5” is a new Abbey Theatre initiative, inviting underrepresented communities to submit an idea or project they want to develop. The call for applications is now open here. Five applicants will be selected and provided with 5 days worth of space, technical assistance and €5,000 to explore their project throughout the year.
After sold-out shows for the past six years, “The 24 Hour Plays: Dublin” is back for one night only with all proceeds going to Dublin Youth Theatre. Six short plays will be written, rehearsed and presented all within 24 hours by the best of Irish writing and directing talent and over two dozen of Ireland’s most recognised and beloved stars of stage and screen.
“Open Studio” is an invitation to join a conversation about connecting to younger audiences and participants through dance, performance and live art. It brings together a diverse range of perspectives and methodologies across four days of workshops, seminars and scratch events, which will be hosted by Dublin Dance Festival, Live Collision and the Abbey Theatre.
And finally, following on from their successful first year, the theatre will continue its series of “Free First Previews“, giving away thousands of free tickets, attempting to remove any economic barriers and ensuring the national theatre is open to all. Only available on the night, tickets cannot be booked in advance and are distributed on a first come, first served basis to people who queue.
By: Paul O’Rourke
