Graham McLaren News

The Abbey Theatre, today, announced it will reopen its doors and welcome audiences back to the building for the world premiere of Una McKevitt's One Good Turn. Ireland's national theatre had previously announced that the play will stream live from the Abbey stage on 25th and 26th of June and be available, on-demand, until 10th July.

Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter, Estella, cruelly breaks Pip’s heart – can he win her heart with his new-found wealth? But who is his mysterious benefactor? Featuring some of the most famous characters in literature including the manipulative lawyer Jaggers, the terrifying convict Magwitch and a cast of bizarre, comic and absurd characters.

Performances of Theatre for One, the intimate theatrical experience that brings together one actor and one audience member, will start live, in-person performances tomorrow, December 18 at Dublin’s Abbey Theatre. The limited engagement, produced by Landmark Productions, Octopus Theatricals, and the Abbey Theatre, will play December 18-23.

In April, Graham McLaren and Neil Murray, Directors of the Abbey Theatre, created Dear Ireland - a moment for the country to reflect on itself in a time of crisis.

This December, the Abbey Theatre will present Abbey Calling - a new initiative, bringing brilliant pieces of literature directly into the homes of those feeling isolated. A partnership with mental health charity, Aware, Abbey Calling sees 50 of Ireland's leading actors make up to 2,000 phone calls.

Graham McLaren and Neil Murray, Directors of the Abbey Theatre, today announced a series of artist bursaries, which will allow 14 theatre-makers to develop new work relating to the Irish War of Independence and Civil War.

This month, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the Abbey Theatre partners for the first time with the G.A.A. to give voice to the 14 men, woman, and children who were killed in Croke Park on that day.

Directors of the Abbey Theatre, Graham McLaren and Neil Murray, today announced updates to the planned programme for October - December 2020:

Graham McLaren and Neil Murray, Directors of the Abbey Theatre today announced the cast for the upcoming production of Patrick Kavanagh's poem The Great Hunger.

In April, Graham McLaren and Neil Murray, Directors of the Abbey Theatre, created Dear Ireland - a moment for the country to reflect on itself in a time of crisis.

This August, the Abbey Theatre presents the digital premiere of Lisa Tierney-Keogh's This Beautiful Virtual Village - a witty, Zoom-age adaptation of her award-winning play This Beautiful Village (2019).

Directors of the Abbey Theatre, Graham McLaren and Neil Murray, today announced an “extraordinary programme for an extraordinary year”, a bespoke range of theatre projects that audiences can experience in person, or at home, from August 2020. 

The Abbey Theatre today announced additional programming changes, including further postponements and show cancellations, as a result of the ongoing impact of its closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Over four nights (28 April - 1 May), audiences throughout Ireland and across the globe can watch the world premiere of Dear Ireland a?" a historic digital theatre project that brings together 50 brand new monologues, commissioned by the Abbey Theatre as a rapid response to the COVID-19 crisis. Each piece of work was written and created in self isolation by 100 participating artists.

The Abbey Theatre has commissioned writers from Ireland, with unique additional contributions from the USA, China and Italy, to each write a monologue, to be performed by 50 actors, and then streamed on the Abbey's digital platforms. Today, 15 April 2020, Graham McLaren and Neil Murray, Directors of the Abbey Theatre, announce the lineup of artists taking part in the theatre's historic project, Dear Ireland.

The Abbey Theatre today, 6 March 2020, announced that Sarah Smith has been appointed to the role of Technical Director of the Abbey Theatre.

From 1 - 11 April 2020, the Abbey Theatre presents Ireland's Call, the explosive one-man play written and performed by John Connors.

The National Theatre of Scotland, in association with Dundee Rep Theatre and Live Theatre, Newcastle presents The Cheviot, The Stag, and The Black, Black Oil by John McGrath.

The World Premiere of What I (Don't) Know About Autism makes history tonight, Tuesday 4th of February, as the first-ever 'relaxed performance' staged at Ireland's National Theatre.

Directors of the Abbey Theatre, Graham McLaren and Neil Murray, today announced a wide range of projects for the Abbey and Peacock Stages and on tour in 2020 presenting a diverse, challenging and engaging programme for theatre audiences.