After 16 days and nights of fantastic theatre, Dublin Fringe Festival 2026 has concluded with its annual award ceremony to commemorate the shows that demonstrated “extraordinary skill and creativity”. Here are some of the LGBTQ+ standouts from the list of this year’s winners:

Solas Nua New Voices Award
Suplex, written and directed by Ois O’Donoghue and presented by Jax Banded Theatre, won the Solas Nua New Voices Award which recognises a playwright whose work explores contemporary social, political or cultural issues in Ireland. The show centres a trans woman named Danu navigating the world of wrestling while confronting shadows from her past.

O’Donoghue commented, “Suplex is a new play that explores the frustrating ongoing question of trans people, and specifically trans women in sports”. Suplex was also a nominee for the Radical Spirit Award, and set designer and stage manager Izzy Hamilton won the Making it Happen Award.

 

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Judges’ Choice Award
Ho’cial Club by Red Umbrella Éireann, who advocate for sex workers rights in Ireland, was one of three productions which received a Judges’ Choice Award for theatre that defies categorisation. The show centres pole, drag and cabaret performers and is an unapologetic celebration of sex worker joy and resistance.

Dublin Fringe Festival explained that Ho’cial Club was chosen for the Judges’ Choice Award for “Welcoming its audience in to a moment of genuine joy and resistance, for the skill and artistry of its performers, and for conveying its message to decriminalize sex work so clearly”.

 

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Spirit of Wit: Moira Brady Averill Award
Slugs by Creepy Boys received the Spirit of Wit: Moira Brady Averill Award, which recognises unconventional and bold works of theatre. The award is in memory of the Irish comedian, Moira Brady Averill, who passed away in 2016. The play is a chaotic mix of clown and puppet theatre and a techno-punk concert and was also a nominee for the Best Production award.

 

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CoisCéim Dance Theatre Movement Award
The Boxes by Yves Lorrhan and Inner Man Community was announced as the recipient of the CoisCéim Dance Theatre Movement Award, which supports the research and development of new work for the artists through a two-week studio residency and four mentorship sessions. The show is a raw and honest dance-theatre production, phycially exploring identity and masculinity.

 

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Alongside the award winners, there were a range of LGBTQ+ productions nominated across the various categories.

Traces of the World-to-Be by Hana Laine Flamm and Emma Hurson is a unique piece of immersive site-based theatre which brings participants through the history of Dublin’s various formerly gay bars. The production was a nominee for the Visonary Award for its boundary-breaking creativity.

Butch, writtten by Hannah Bevan and presented by Crithir Productions, was a nominee for the Solas Nua New Voices Award. It is is a one-woman show that delves into the cultural history of the term butch.

The cast of Miss Powder Vaccum 2026 by Bill Harris was nominated for the Spirit of Wit award. Hosted by MarianMarythe6th, this show inspired by Miss Alternative Ireland involves participants having the chance to “seduce both judges and audience members in the hopes of becoming our most powdered prima donna”.

This is just a snapshot of some of the shows recognised. To see the full list of the 2026 Dublin Fringe Festival award winners and nominees, check out their website!