The Dublin Fringe Festival returns from Saturday, September 7 to Sunday, September 22, 2024, celebrating its 30th year of bringing cutting-edge queer performances to the stage. This milestone edition, directed by David Francis Moore, promises an eclectic mix of 75 new shows, spanning 520 performances across 29 venues. As always, the festival showcases innovative works designed to push artistic boundaries, featuring contemporary, playful, and thought-provoking performances from artists both local and international.
This year’s lineup highlights a strong presence of LGBTQ+ voices, with several queer shows and artists set to take centre stage. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout offerings!
Television
Television by SexyTadhg delves into the blurred lines between reality and entertainment. Developed in Fringe Labs and awarded the 2023 Radical Spirit Award, this show blends cabaret and musical performance with SexyTadhg’s signature flair. Performances run on September 6-13. Tickets are available here.
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Carpet Muncher
Running from September 7-12, Carpet Muncher is a drag poetry show by Jo Morrigan Black. With sharp humour, the performance tackles themes of transition and resistance, ultimately celebrating the unknowable aspects of identity. Tickets can be purchased here.
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Starfighter
In Starfighter, Becky Cheatle combines stand-up comedy with her passion for Star Wars, using the iconic franchise to explore her journey through gender transition. This mix of nostalgia and reflection runs from September 10-15. Book your ticket here.
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BITCH
From September 11-15, Marty Breen presents BITCH, a drag cabaret that dives into questions of morality, gender, and sexuality. This tragicomic exploration is sure to provoke thought and laughter. Tickets are available here.
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BABY
BABY is a dark comedy following Camilla, a 36-year-old navigating the complex world of fertility clinics. Set against the backdrop of the recent Assisted Human Reproduction Bill, this show runs on September 17, 19, 20, and 21. Secure your tickets here.
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CORTISOL
Sisters Megan and Shannon Haly take audiences on a rollercoaster ride through Irish childhood memories and present-day anxieties in CORTISOL. This queer coming-of-age tale runs from September 18-21. Tickets can be purchased here.
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Wide Open
Wide Open makes its debut at this year’s Dublin Fringe Festival, asking audience members the question on everyone’s mind: “Why has Alex suddenly developed a fixation on GAA shorts?” Immerse yourself in this captivating story of desire, hidden truths, and surprising obsessions that will keep you hooked. Running from September 18-21, you can book your seat here.
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The Initiation
For those craving a night of techno, performance art, and ritual, The Initiation by RATHAUS is a must-see. On September 20, audiences are invited to dress in cult-inspired attire and join the immersive experience. Book your ticket here to be part of the rite.
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This Too Shall Pass
In this live immersive theatre experience, the audience is drawn into a world that shifts between a waiting room, a private sanctuary, a pulsating rave, and a striking spectacle, all the while being utterly consumed by the endless navigation of the mental health system. Running from September 18-22; book your seat here.
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Rose+Bud
Finding yourself is never easy, but trying to find yourself as a closeted t-girl in a Derry nightclub is almost hellish. Join Rose and Bud on a journey of realisation, transition and perhaps reconciliation in this coming-of-age show running from September 11-14. Tickets are on sale here.
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Bird about Town
Alone, hungry and haunted, one woman’s life completely unravels in the wake of her breakup with her girlfriend. Struggling to make sense of it all, truth and fantasy quickly collide in this hour-long nightmare. Catch it from September 17 to 21; tickets are on sale here.
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This is just a selection of some of the wonderful queer highlights at this year’s Dublin Fringe. The festival promises a rich and diverse programme, brimming with boundary-pushing performances that challenge, entertain, and celebrate the extraordinary.
© 2024 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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