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.
- Trouble Come Find Me
Arts and cultureTrouble Come Find Me Darkly comical, searingly honest, Trouble Come Find Me is a new play with original music that explores creativity, motherhood, rage and age, as one woman’s journey into folksong forces her to confront her own troubles.
- AILEEN
Arts and cultureAILEEN 57 years later, this woman must now face the consequences of her actions. AILEEN is a comedy horror parody, inspired by the movie ALIEN.
- The Long Way Home
Arts and cultureThe Long Way Home From the company who brought you The Devil Himself (“A muscular and commanding engagement with fascinating events” – Irish Independent) and Orson Welles’ Christmas Carol (“Works extraordinarily well” – Sunday Independent)
- Predrinks at Laylah's
Arts and culturePredrinks at Laylah's Predrinks at Laylah’s is a One Woman Show about a transgender girl in her 20s discovering her found family through partying.
- Ciúnas
Arts and cultureCiúnas Ciúnas, presented by DBN Productions, is an intense drama about Ireland’s dark past. This is the plays first Irish run.
- TJ & DAVE
Arts and cultureTJ & DAVE T.J. and David are internationally known, award-winning master improvisers from Chicago’s legendary scene.
- Darren Loughran Classical Guitar Recital
Arts and cultureDarren Loughran Classical Guitar Recital Irish classical guitarist Darren Loughran presents a programme of classical guitar music from the 16th century to the present day.
- Sugar
Arts and cultureSugar From the same team who brought you, SEAN MOYLAN, AN IRISH REVOLUTIONARY, SUGAR is written and performed by Michael Patric (AN CAILÍN CIÚIN, SMOTHER, FRONTIER) and directed by Geoff Gould.