by Saoirse Anton

This month I’ll be bringing a visitor sightseeing around Ireland. We were discussing what they would like to see and do while they are here and, inevitably since it was me they were talking to, the conversation turned to theatre. That set me thinking about what is currently on our stage that I would love to show a visitor, and I realized that if I brought them to see everything, our days would be full and our wallets empty because Ireland’s theatres are chock full of options this month! Read on for my shortlist…

Possession

I genuinely squealed out loud in a café when I first read about this production. Based on a script from the too-long-overlooked national treasure, Teresa Deevey, and bringing together professional artists and community artists from Dublin Theatre of the Deaf, Possession is a truly exciting new opera from performance artist Amanda Coogan and composer Linda Buckley.

Delving into the stories of the Táin through the eyes of Queen Medb, using a combination of Irish Sign Language and experimental composition, Possession promises to be a sensory feast of storytelling.

Possession runs at Project Arts Centre from 21-24th February

The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey

I remember seeing the first instalment of this trilogy, The Man in the Woman’s Shoes, as a teenager and being absolutely captivated by it, so I will definitely be putting The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey on our must-see list.

In this third instalment to the story of Pat Farnon the cobbler, written and performed by Mikel Murfi, he lifts the lid on his wife’s past life and in the process faces down his own reckoning.

If past instalments are anything to go by, this promises to be an insightful, hilarious and moving evening’s theatre.

The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey is currently on tour until May, with more dates to be added.

Peatlands

Not strictly theatre, but an immersive exhibition that I am very excited to spend some time with. Some might say I wax excessively lyrical about Ireland’s bogs while I’m abroad, but having grown up in the midlands I adore these beautiful, unique ecosystems. Combining this with the other topic on which I wax lyrical, multi-disciplinary art, Peatlands promises to be a fascinating exploration of Ireland’s peatlands and wetlands through animated paintings, photography, sound sculpture and video.

Peatlands is presented at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise throughout January and February

Distillation

What can I say? I just love the bog.

Responding to the recent cessation of peat harvesting for fuel, Luke Casserly’s Distillation sounds like a unique and absorbing theatrical experience. Bringing audiences a sensory distillation of the midlands bogs through a collaboration with perfume maker, Joan Woods, Casserly presents a fascinating consideration of the future of our landscape to the stage.

Distillation runs at the Peacock Theatre until 10th February.

Bold Moves

I know Riverdance is the standard dance fare for a new visitor to Ireland, but Ballet Ireland has been bringing superb dance to Ireland’s stages for almost my whole lifetime and I am confident that their current production Bold Moves, will be a choreographic treat.

This final iteration of Bold Moves is a triple bill of works by acclaimed choreographers Johan Inger, Ohad Naharin, and Filipe Portugal.

Bold Moves runs at the O’Reilly Theatre from 22-30th March.

Bellow

One of the first things that came up on our general list of things to see and do was to join a trad session, which brought this next production to mind. Drawing experimental theatre company, Brokentalkers, together with traditional musician, Danny O’Mahony, Bellow explores “the weight of tradition, the capriciousness of memory, and the artist’s need to express their true self.” Fusing traditional music, electronic sound design, dance and new writing, Bellow is an intriguing consideration of O’Mahony’s dedication to traditional music.

Bellow runs at Project Arts Centre from 21st February to 2nd March

Quite a shortlist to choose from, and I know there is so much more out there. What is your must-see theatre recommendation for someone visiting Ireland?