Absolut Dublin Gay Theatre Festival

February 28 2010:

Dublin’s culturists are stamping their feet in anticipation of the 2010 ABSOLUT  Gay Theatre Festival which is gearing up to take over our fair capital in May for two weeks of dramatics, cabaret and performance.  This bright glow of cultural enlightenment will electrify the city from Monday the 3rd to Sunday the 16th of May and is guaranteed to have something for every theatrical taste.

The host of this cultural showcase is none other than Dublin’s designated art zone, Temple Bar, with playwrights and thespians taking over a host of venues including The Button Factory, Boys School Studio, The Front Lounge, The George, Smock Alley Studio and The New Theatre to name a few.  With its participants as diverse as its audience, this year’s programme is set to further cement Dublin's reputation as one of Europe’s literary platforms as well as a recognized centre for gay theatre.

Speaking about this year’s festival, John H. Pickering, Festival Director said "The ABSOLUT Gay Theatre Festival Dublin is a brilliant opportunity to see some fantastic international theatre and an insight into gay culture for those who maybe wouldn’t get that chance elsewhere".

Richard Brickley, Marketing Manager of ABSOLUT Vodka said “Around the world and in Ireland we have cemented our relationships and associations with the creative community.  ABSOLUT is renowned as the earliest major advertiser in gay media with ads dating back to 1981.  Having pushed boundaries with the packaging design of the ABSOLUT COLORS bottle designed by Gilbert Baker, the brand is consistent in showing its commitment to the LGBT community.  We are delighted to be part of the ABSOLUT Gay Theatre Festival Dublin this year and our sponsorship is a natural way to continue to encourage people to ‘See Things Differently’ and in a more inclusive way.” 

The streets will be literarily spilling over with international talent from countries as far as South Africa, Israel, America, Holland and the UK as well as plenty of our very own gifted and accomplished dramatists. A full programme is yet to be announced, for more information check out www.absolutgaytheatre.ie or find us on Facebook, but a sneak preview reveals some of this years highlights:
  

10 to 15th May, Smock Alley Theatre: Barbra & Liza Live sees New York sensations Brinberg and Skye join forces to bring us a spectacular mix of comedy, musical performance and a good dollop of gossip too. Skye impersonates Liza with unsurpassed energy and comedy, while Brinberg pays hilarious homage to leading lady Barbra Streisand.  Not to be missed!

3 to 8th May, Break for the Border: Direct from their four week residency in London’s West End, UK musical comedy double act Topping and Butch present their outrageous show ‘FILTH’. With songs and one liners that would melt granite, this pair have created a whole new genre of show and if you haven’t discovered these guys already, now is the time to do it.

3 to 8th May, Smock Alley Theatre: All the way from Tel-Aviv, Israel, multi award winning drama THE TIMEKEEPERS has been touring the world to huge acclaim and now for the first time this Israeli theatre company are coming to perform for the ABSOLUT Gay Theatre Festival Dublin. It concerns a pair of watch menders, Hans, a pink triangle wearing German homosexual and Benjamin, a yellow star adorned elderly Jewish man, thrown together in a concentration camp. An intimate and truly touching tale focusing on the distrust conflict and eventual love of the two protagonists.

10 to 15th May, The New Theatre: This year the ABSOLUT Gay Theatre Festival Dublin sees the world premiere of THE MYTH OF ANDREW & JO. This South African production team from Cape Town tells the story of two gay couples, one male gay and female gay. One from each team have a fol de rol and the result is an unplanned pregnancy served alongside some high comic chaos as these promiscuous youngsters cope with their new found responsibilities. This play is warm and deeply moving, as well as wet yourself hilarious, the perfect combination!

This unique arts festival aims to promote, commission and showcase new writing on gay related theatre and music. Ticket prices throughout the Festival are kept deliberately low to make the events accessible to all. Prices range from 10 to 17 euro and can be booked online at www.absolutgaytheatre.ie or visit the Festival Box Office at Filmbase, Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

The New Theatre | Theatre Studio at Smock Alley | The Button Factory | The Dragon | The Boys School CSA | The Front Lounge | The George -|The Grafton Capital Hotel | Break for the Border.

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