The Stage

Dublin Theatre Festival to feature focus on Poland

Published Monday 2 August 2010 at 10:34 by Anthony Garvey

More than 30 productions from 10 countries will feature in this autumn’s Dublin Theatre Festival, running from September 30 to October 17.

Festival director Loughlin Deegan has added a special focus on Polish theatre to this year’s programme, reflecting the impact on Dublin of immigration from Poland. A number of Polish dramas, featuring some of the country’s leading actors and directors, will be staged and there will be discussions on contemporary Polish culture and its relationship with Ireland.

“We’re acknowledging that there have been huge demographic shifts in Dublin in recent years,” said Deegan, “and our Polish theme is an attempt to engage in a dialogue about what the city is becoming.”

Among the festival highlights will be the premiere of a new version of Henrik Ibsen’s John Gabriel Borkman by Frank McGuinness, to be staged at the Abbey. Heading the cast will be Alan Rickman, making his first appearance at the Irish national theatre, Fiona Shaw and Lindsay Duncan. Adding to the Borkman theme of financial scandal will be the award-winning Enron, to be staged at the Gaiety Theatre.

Also at the Gaiety, Garry Hynes will direct a Druid production of The Silver Tassie, a Sean O’Casey play the Abbey once rejected. The Gate will stage an interlocking season of Beckett, Pinter and Mamet, with Endgame and a stage adaptation of the Beckett novel, Watt, as well as Pinter’s Celebration and Mamet’s Boston Marriage

Rough Magic will present a new version of Phaedra, a collaboration between playwright Hilary Fannin and composer Ellen Cranitch, at the Project Arts Centre, directed by Lynne Parker. Another premiere, B for Baby, a first-time play by newcomer Carmel Winters, will be staged at the Peacock.

The festival, sponsored by Ulster Bank, will also offer some innovative audience participation. At Pan Pan’s production of The Rehearsal, Playing the Dane, at the Samuel Beckett Theatre, paying customers will be given the opportunity to choose the best Hamlet.