The International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival has officially rebranded as Wilde Stages, marking an exciting new chapter for the leading queer theatre event. Now in its third decade, the festival, widely recognised as the largest queer theatre festival globally, returns in 2026 with renewed energy, following a smaller transitional edition in 2025. This year promises its most ambitious and dynamic programme to date.
Featuring companies from five continents and eight countries, Wilde Stages offers an eclectic and vibrant mix of performances. Audiences can expect a rich variety of genres, including comedy, drama, dance, physical theatre, and musicals, reflecting the creativity of queer storytelling on a global scale.
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A significant development for the festival is the appointment of a new artistic director, only the second in its history. Sean Denyer, a respected figure within the LGBTQ+ theatre community, takes on the role. Known for his award-winning writing and his involvement with Dublin’s LGBTQ+ theatre group Acting Out, Denyer brings both experience and fresh vision to the festival.
“Having had many shows in it, I am delighted to become part of the festival family this year, and I cannot wait to see people’s reactions to the wonderful shows we have programmed,” said Denyer. “There really is something for everybody, and we are describing Wilde Stages as a Queer Festival for everyone.”
With close to 30 shows and events scheduled, the 2026 edition stands as one of the festival’s largest ever. It not only showcases international talent from countries such as Australia, South Africa, and Canada, but also highlights a strong presence of new Irish writing, reinforcing Dublin’s role as a hub for innovative queer performance.
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Wilde Stages will run from 4 May to 17 May across five venues throughout Dublin. Full programme details and ticket information are available online at www.gaytheatre.ie. Tickets are priced at €20/€15, making the festival accessible to a wide audience.
© 2026 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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