Smock Alley Theatre, 1662 was the first custom built theatre in Dublin City and still remains in substantially the same form, making it one of the most important sites in European theatre history.
Smock Alley Theatre, 1662 was the first theatre outside London to receive the title of Theatre Royal, but, because it had been built on land reclaimed from the Liffey, the building was unstable and the gallery collapsed twice. It was rebuilt in 1735.
The theatre closed in 1787. The building was then used as a whiskey store until Father Michael Blake bought it to set up a church. When the bell tolled in 1811, 18 years before the Catholic Emancipation, the first Catholic bell to ring in Dublin in nearly 300 years was heard. The façade boasts ornate stained glass windows and the original ceiling plasterwork remain in the Smock Alley as a witness of this time.
After a six year renovation, Smock Alley Theatre, 1662 reopened its doors as Dublin’s oldest newest theatre in May 2012. With three gorgeous venues, Smock Alley is the perfect place to spend a cultural evening out. They partner with many arts and cultural festivals to welcome audiences, engage with artists and create exciting cultural events. From Dublin Theatre Festival to First Fortnight and from IMRAM to the Irish literature Festival these partnerships are a vital part of their annual programme.
- Bunny Bunny
Arts and cultureBunny Bunny Take a trip down the rabbit hole with Bunny. Men, money, motherhood, sex, politics, competition, the world. What’s it all about?
- The Last Incel
Arts and cultureThe Last Incel "A woman has entered the chat." Take a theatrical dive into the hilariously toxic internet world of incels!
- The Ireland We Dreamed Of
Arts and cultureThe Ireland We Dreamed Of “The Ireland that we dreamed of, would be the home of a people…living the life that God desires” – Éamon de Valera, 1947.
- The Good Women
Arts and cultureThe Good Women A funny, bold and heartfelt new play inspired by a true 1960s love story. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll meet two extraordinary women.
- Night At The Harem
Arts and cultureNight At The Harem Step into a world of enchantment and rhythm with “Night At The Harem” – an exquisite bellydance extravaganza show!
- Exhibition
Arts and cultureExhibition A successful artist who has made “art out of her pain” is about to unveil her boldest work to date, but before she does, she brings together her estranged siblings for a sneak peak. What ensues is an utterly dysfunctional but healing get-together.
- Bum Notes: The Improvised Musical
Arts and cultureBum Notes: The Improvised Musical Your wish is our command Not a word nor note is planned A brand new musical appearing sans recital And all we need from you is … the title!
- New Era, New Éire
Arts and cultureNew Era, New Éire Set in a working-class suburb of south Dublin, the play centres around JT O’Brien and his father Stephen “Buzzer” O’Brien as they deal with the recent death of JT’s mother Marie.