This adult domestic comedy will have you in stitches from curtain up to curtain down. Mark, Vicky, Eric and Judy have only one thing in common and when they find out what it is all hell’s going to break loose. A chance encounter leads to a dinner party but it’s not long before this friendly occasion turns into a social nightmare. As the common denominator is revealed, the air soon becomes thick with insults, black eyes and broken china. As in all good farces the audience know exactly what is going on long before the characters which adds to the hilarity.
As part of a balanced program most theatre companies like to include at least one rip-roaring comedy – a real crowd pleaser – and 'The Opposite Sex' by David Tristram is just the job for on Q Theatre Company. So to ease yourself into getting the kids ready for school – take a night out and enjoy a good laugh. It’s better than a tonic!
On Q Theatre Company return once more to Draíocht following their hugely successful runs of 'Red Roses and Petrol', 'Shakers' and more recently 'Bouncers'.
Starring Brian O'Rourke, Lisa Neville, Paul Cullen & Caroline Crotty.

From the award-winning company that took Little Gem around the world comes an explosive thriller written by one of Ireland’s finest actors. Robert, a successful Dublin lawyer, is working late in his office while Ray, the cleaner, is tidying up. They chat about golf, football and the weather but both have dark secrets and when Julia, Robert’s girlfriend, arrives on the scene those secrets are revealed in the most surprising and shocking way. A fast-paced, gripping comedy/thriller with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, Chicane will keep you on the edge of your seat and entertain you like no other play.
Written by Anthony Brophy and Directed by Paul Meade.
Starring: Barry Barnes, Emmet Kirwan and Jane McGrath.
This show contains adult content and strong language.

SPECIAL OFFER: CODE WORD 'BLANCH'
Book 2 Tickets for Chicane and 2 Tickets for Fishamble's 'Big Ole Piece of Cake' (23-27 Nov) for €60
Phone Box Office now: 01-8852622

Love triangles, debt, murder plots and a lot of old blarney. When Hardress Cregan’s family falls on hard times, only his marriage to a wealthy heiress, Anne Chute, can save it from ruin. But there’s a snag – Hardress is already secretly married to the beautiful, and not so wealthy, Eily O’Connor; and Anne is in love with someone else, Hardress’ best friend Kyrle. Will love win over money? Will a murderous plot succeed? And can they all live happily ever after? This classic Irish tale of The Colleen Bawn is brought vividly to life in this lively and entertaining production from director Jimmy Fay (Playboy of the Western World, Ross O’Carroll Kelly: Last Days of the Celtic Tiger). Starring: Karen Ardiff, Liz Fitzgibbon, Michael Glen Murphy, Will Irvine, Ian Lloyd Anderson, Charlie Murphy and Ciaran Taylor.

See Audience Vox Pop here ...

MON 27 SEPT, 8.15PM / TUES 28 SEPT, 12 NOON 

Mary McArdle is the toughest fighter in town, a title that earned her the moniker 'Mad' Mary when she was 15. Now she’s 25, and just out of prison. Back home, everything has changed: all the old gang have grown up, and the only thing Mary has to look forward to is being bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding. But even this comes at a price - she has to find a date for the big day, and finding a date in a town where everyone knows your name is not gonna be easy.
This show contains adult content and strong language.
Set Design Kieran McNulty. Lighting Design Sarah Jane Shields. Costume Design Suzanne Keogh. Sound Design Jack Cawley.
By Yasmine Akram. Directed by Darren Thornton

It is what it is looks at the struggles and the strengths of the people who face their demons and the hidden damage of drug use in all its disguises. Devised and written for Drug Awareness Week by the drama students of Tolka River Project and Sinéad O'Loughlin with professional support by Smashing Times Theatre Company. The funding for the play was provided by the Blanchardstown Local Drugs Task Force and Fingal County Council. This show may contain some strong language.

Sometimes it takes a girl sized human to solve an adult sized problem. Peggy O’Hegarty and her parents are packers. They squeeze fruit into tins, foxes into boxes, even bikes into brown paper bags. And all the while Peggy sings with the voice of an angel – a grossly unfortunate angel, who can’t sing at all. But one day work stops working, and the jobs stop coming, and Peggy steps outside to find Winter has arrived … and everyone in her city is gone! As Peggy desperately tries to save the day, we learn about love, loss, the reassurance of goats, and the courage to sing gloriously on or off-key. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience the combined, celebrated talents of director Lynne Parker, performer Louis Lovett and playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer.

Presented as part of Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival ReViewed - A showcase of successful Irish productions re-staged in partnership with Culture Ireland and Irish Theatre Institute.

Dur: 60 mins / Age 7+

The Quare Fellow begins and ends in song, with a prisoner in solitary confinement in Mountjoy Prison. As a guard rouses prisoners in their cells, several of them begin talking. The main topic of conversation is the imminent execution of the unnamed Quare Fellow who is to be hanged for murdering his brother. While full of comic moments, this play is a grimly realistic portrait of prison life in Ireland in the 1950s, and a reminder of the days in which homosexuality was illegal and the death penalty common. The 13 strong cast is directed by Ronan Wilmot.

Refine your creative writing skills in this intensive workshop with established short-story writer and poet Nuala Ní Chonchúir. Nuala will personally and constructively critique your work on a one to one basis. Therefore participants are required to submit either one story of up to 3000 words or 2 shorter pieces up to 3000 words to Nuala before the workshop and latest by 30 September 2010. Submit your work to sarah.oneill@fingalcoco.ie or Yvonne.obrien@fingalcoco.ie. You will then have the opportunity to discuss and refine your work under Nuala’s expert direction.
Tickets are free but places are limited to 10 per workshop. Booking through Draíocht's Box Office, tel: 8852622.
Nuala will also read from her debut novel You published by New Island, (2010) at 7.30pm. Tickets are free, booking through Draíocht's Box Office, tel: 8852622

Sam Maguire is a fanatic Dublin supporter and his passion for football and the Dublin team lead him through a summer of excitement, making the pilgrimage to The Hill to cheer on the boys in blue. But in his personal life he's alone and dejected. The woman he loves and the child he doted on have deserted him. Sam tries to rebuild his life and as long as the Dubs are still in the championship there will always be hope. There is much comfort to be taken in the knowledge that The Hill will always be there for him.

In a dressing room an ageing drag queen reveals his life and loves, victories and defeats. Exploring the themes of identity, love found and love lost, and using the music of Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Billie Holiday and more, this is the story of one gay man’s life. From his childhood through adolescence and onto adulthood, the one constant in his life is the music of the divas who provide comfort, strength and inspiration. A funny and touching portrait of gay life in Ireland over the last 40 years.
This show contains some adult content and some strong language.

The Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso was at the height of his fame when he performed Carmen at the San Francisco Opera House in April 1906. He woke-up the next morning to find his hotel room collapsing on top of him. Quake tells of his miraculous escape but can he shake off the ghosts from his past and the terrible choices he has to make to survive? Beautiful storytelling and live opera singing combine to reveal the heart behind a legend. With live music from Puccini, Rossini, Tosti and the immortal song that Caruso introduced to the World, ‘O Sole mio’. Starring Ignacio Jarquin.

‘All my life I've wanted a son. And now here I am with two of them! I'll drink to that!’. Dublin lads Colin and Ray are out of luck, out of work, out of grub and nearly out of fags. On a whim old and lonely ex-teacher, Clarence invites the two brothers back to his cottage in Wicklow. Through the course of one electric evening, the unlikely trio attempt to play happy families over naggins and history lessons, but when push comes to shove, Clarence gets a lot more than he bargained for. Step inside for a comic and quirky evening of roast chicken, yellow snorkel jackets and Stevie Wonder. 

Following the success of the award-winning Noah and the Tower Flower, director Jim Culleton is reunited with Sean McLoughlin for this much anticipated, sparky second play.  Presented by the multi award winning Fishamble, this is a theatre highlight not to be missed.

This show contains strong language. 

SPECIAL OFFER: CODE WORD 'BLANCH'
Book 2 Tickets for 'Big Ole Piece of Cake' and Guna Nua's 'Chicane' (8-11 Sept) for €60
Phone Box Office now: 01-8852622

In March 2010, Draiocht in partnership with Fishamble: The New Play Company, began working with 36 participants on the Write Here, Write Now Project; a project to support new writers in the Fingal area. Participants engaged in workshops, writer’s talks, theatre visits and one to one feedback on their work in progress. A long list of 16 was drawn up in May 2010 and in September, 5 out of those 16 scripts were chosen to go forward to have a rehearsed reading with a professional director and cast. We are delighted to present to you ... the final 5.

‘Like snowflakes my Christmas memories gather and dance’. Anthony O’Boyle returns to the great tradition of storytelling, the ‘theatre of the hearthstone’, with a new show, a nostalgic look back at Christmas in a small rural village in the west of Ireland. Here is an encapsulation of an era that has passed only recently. Comedy sparkles and illuminates a collection of stories that are rich in humour and pathos. A unique show with a homely heartwarming collection of tales and the occasional song. Come along and enjoy a trip down memory lane!

This is a sparkling fully costumed gala performance of highlights from many of the favourite Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. Featuring six stars from the old and new D’Oyly Carte Opera Companies and other major UK Opera Companies, highlights include selections from The Mikado, The Gondoliers, The Pirates Of Penzance, Iolanthe, Ruddigore, Princess Ida, The Grand Duke and HMS Pinafore. Major-General Stanley, Sir Joseph Porter and The Pirate King will even invite you to sing-a-long with one or two numbers. Don’t miss this superb evening of highlights from Gilbert and Sullivan’s witty and wonderful works, beautifully performed.