Saoirse Anton

Last month I wrote about the joy of being back in an auditorium watching a play, of seeing theatres begin to reopen and welcome audiences back into their seats, but I also wrote of the rough and painful slides backwards that many arts organisations have experienced. Unfortunately just weeks after that column was published, we slid backwards once more and entered level five lockdown, meaning theatre doors were closed once more.

Though seeing auditoriums dark again is disappointing, theatremakers have not downed tools and given up. The industry has kept tenaciously treading water with ingenuity and innovation. Since audiences can’t be brought to theatres, venues and company are bringing theatre into audience’s homes.

With podcasts, radio plays, zoom plays and more, you can enjoy brilliant work without ever leaving your couch. As the winter nights draw in, you can curl up with your family, housemates or cat and tune in to some of the theatrical offerings available. And it needn’t be an isolated experience – after all, part of the joy of the theatre is in sharing an experience with the other audience members. Book tickets with friends, all tune in at the same time, and bridge the gap between your homes in lockdown. So stick on the kettle, light the fire, curl up and enjoy some of the best theatre on offer in your own home…

1. A Night In With…Series – Fane Productions and takeyourseats.ie

Fane Productions’ series of online events, A Night In With…, features interviews with a wide range of guests including Michael J. Fox (actor), Gabriel Byrne (actor), Layla Saad (writer), and even a special Derry Girls event. If you want to lighten up a lockdown evening with an glimpse into the lives of stars of stage, screen and page, then this series is for you.

Tickets available here.

2. Leaves Festival of Writing and Music 2020

Normally this celebration of writing and music in Laois would take place in front of live audience in Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, but as with most things in 2020, it is a little different this year. Curated by Dermot Bolger, this year’s line up of festival guests has moved from the stage to the airwaves as the festival is broadcast on the new Dunamaise Arts Centre Podcast Channel. Head on over to tune in to interviews with some of Ireland’s literary gems.

3. Hunter – Hugh Hick Productions and Dublin City Radio

If you haven’t had your fill of spooky treats over Halloween, then this new radio play from Stuart Roche (Snake Eaters, Fetch Wilson) is just the ticket. Broadcast on Dublin City FM, and available as a podcast here, Hunter promises classic gothic horror aplenty as it tells the story of a struggling writer who gets more than he bargained for with his latest project “A Sceptic’s Guide to the Supernatural.”

4. The Snow Queen – BrokenCrow in association with Garter Lane and The Everyman Theatre

For a less hair-raising listening experience, nab yourself a ticket for this eight-part serialised adaptation of The Snow Queen. Broadcast twice-weekly in eight minute episodes from the 23rd November, with Family Packs and Teacher Packs available, offering interactive elements to accompany the audio drama, this his new Irish reimagining of the classic fairytale looks set to be a magical treat for all ages.

5. Joe Chester Concert from L'Église du Gesú, Nice – Axis, Ballymun

Axis has made the most of their current online setting by bringing work from far afield into Irish sitting rooms. Whether you are in Dublin, Dingle or Donegal, you can enjoy a concert from the beautiful setting of L’Église du Gesú in Nice. Since we can’t go on holidays this year, why not bring a taste of the South of France into your home? Tickets available here.