Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival

by Shauna Lyons
(Dublin)

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival - Europe’s oldest specialist theatre festival and the only English speaking contemporary theatre festival left in the world - is celebrating its 53rd Anniversary in 2010! Founded in 1957, it has grown to be Ireland’s premier cultural event, and continues to lead the way in the presentation of outstanding Irish and international performance.

The Festival is unique in its ability to stage major international theatre of scale, and has hosted productions by the world’s most highly regarded artists, while also premiering work by the giants of Irish theatre.

The Irish programme in the past has been made up of events by some of Ireland’s most respected artists. In recent years Seamus Heaney, Roddy Doyle, Brian Friel, Neil Jordan and Tom Murphy have all written for the Festival. An increasingly important part of the Festival is the contribution by the new generation of Irish writers led by Conor McPherson, Martin MacDonagh, Enda Walsh, Mark O’Rowe and Marina Carr.

The international programme is made up of the finest companies and artists from all parts of the world. In recent years Vanessa Redgrave James Cromwell, Aidan Quinn, Neve Campbell, Jeremy Irons, Sorcha Cusack, Derek Jacobi, Tom Waits, Geoffrey Rush, Pete Postlethwaite and Tom Conti have all performed.

The 2010 programme will be announced in late July. To keep up to date with all Festival news, sign up for our updates or join our facebook page.

www.dublintheatrefestival.com

September 30–October 17

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