David Ireland

Soho Theatre Reveals Cast and Creatives For Miriam Battye's THE VIRGINS
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025

Soho Theatre has announced the cast for THE VIRGINS by Miriam Battye (Strategic Love Play, Succession), and directed by Jaz Woodcock-Stewart (Paradise Now!, Grud), a new play following a group of teenage friends as they prepare for a big night out.

Review: CINDERELLA, London Coliseum
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Sep 29, 2025

It’s over 40 years since English National Opera staged Rossini's Cinderella (La Cenerentola) and they open their 2025-26 season with a vibrant new production of the sparkling comedy. After the rocky time the company has had in recent times, it is great to see them having such fun on stage.

April De Angelis To Adapt THE TURN OF THE SCREW for UK Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 27, 2025

Laurence Olivier award-nominated playwright, April De Angelis, is to adapt the classic Henry James novella, The Turn of the Screw, for a major UK tour opening in September 2026. Learn more!

2025-2026 YoungArts Fellows Revealed, Granting $30,000 to Five Artists
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 26, 2025

​YoungArts revealed the 2025-2026 YoungArts Fellows, the institution's most significant award given to five mid-career artists across disciplines from around the country. Learn more!

CAN'T FORGET ABOUT YOU and More Set for Inis Nua Theatre Company 2025-2026 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 21, 2025

Inis Nua Theatre Company has revealed its 2025-2026 season, continuing its mission to bring provocative, contemporary plays from Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales to Philadelphia audiences. Learn more!

Douglas Maxwell Wins 2024 ‘Hector’ Award for Best New Scottish Play
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 5, 2025

The Scottish Society of Playwrights (SSP) has announced that the 2024 Hector MacMillan Award for Best New Scottish Play—affectionately known as “The Hector”—has been awarded to Douglas Maxwell for his acclaimed play So Young. This marks Maxwell’s second consecutive win, following last year’s recognition for The Sheriff of Kalamaki, making him the first playwright to win the Hector two years in a row.

Jack Lowden, Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton, and More Lead Shows Coming to NT Live
by Stephi Wild - Jul 2, 2025

​​​​​​​National Theatre Live has announced a landmark slate of theatre broadcasting to cinemas around the world led by a roster of award-winning talent. Learn more about the lineup here!

Review Roundup: David Ireland's THE FIFTH STEP @sohoplace
by Aliya Al-Hassan - May 20, 2025

After many years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James agrees to become the sponsor of newcomer Luka. On the cusp of Step 5, their conversations must turn to confessionals, with progress hinging on Luka revealing secrets that could lead back to alcohol. But it’s clear that James also has dangerous truths in his past, truths that threaten the trust on which both their recoveries depend.

Review: THE FIFTH STEP, starring Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden
by Cindy Marcolina - May 19, 2025

Plays like The Fifth Step don't come around often. Those whose layered philosophical exoskeleton props up their own dramatic contradictions in quietly superb theatre. At its core, though less pure black comedy and more complex introspective drama coated in dark irony than what you’d expect from David Ireland, it has that delicious push-and-pull that only Ireland can write. It’s a potluck of themes. Alcoholism, recovery, resentment, masculinity, spirituality, family, class, what-have-you populate a play that’s as tense as it is caustic.

Photos: Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman in THE FIFTH STEP
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 14, 2025

You can now get a first look at photos of the West End transfer of David Ireland’s acclaimed new play The Fifth Step, starring Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman. See photos here!

ENO Reveals New Music Director and 2025/26 Season
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2025

English National Opera has announced the appointment of André de Ridder as its new Music Director and unveils details of its programme for the 2025/26 Season. Learn more here!

Review: THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, London Coliseum
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Feb 6, 2025

Joe Hill-Gibbins’s new production of The Marriage of Figaro for English National Opera opened back in March 2020 for a single performance before Covid struck. Thankfully, nearly five years on it has been given a second life at the London Coliseum and it is a riotous delight from start to finish.

Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman Will Lead West End Transfer of THE FIFTH STEP
by Stephi Wild - Jan 23, 2025

David Ireland’s acclaimed new play The Fifth Step will transfer to London’s West End for a strictly limited season beginning in May. Learn more about the production here!

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Comes to English National Opera Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Jan 8, 2025

This February, English National Opera will present the first revival of Joe Hill-Gibbins’ production of Mozart’s comic opera, The Marriage of Figaro.

Review: THE FIFTH STEP, Pavilion Theatre
by Natalie O'Donoghue - Aug 29, 2024

Thirty something Luka is new to Alcoholics Anonymous and looking for a sponsor.  James is older, has been in the programme for years, surely he’s the perfect person to shepherd the younger man through each of the twelve steps on the road to recovery. Or maybe life just isn’t that simple.

The Fifth Step Comes To Glasgow Pavilion
by Natalie O'Donoghue - Aug 21, 2024

A hotly-anticipated new play from playwright David Ireland has sold out the evenings of the Pavilion Theatre on the weekend of the 30th August.

Autumn Season at the Pavilion
by Natalie O'Donoghue - Aug 7, 2024

A look at the autumn/winter season as Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW Will Arrive on Broadway in 2025
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 6, 2024

the critically acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning, play STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW will begin performances Friday, March 28, 2025. We have all the details about the upcoming production!

National Theatre of Scotland to Present FIFTH STEP, DEAR BILLY, and More at Edinburgh Festival
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 29, 2024

The National Theatre of Scotland is set to make its presence known at the Edinburgh Festivals this August, with three productions being performed on the world stage.

REVIEW: Outhouse Theatre Co's ULSTER AMERICAN Is Revived For An Encore Season at Ensemble Theatre
by Jade Kops - May 19, 2024

Shane Anthony’s (Director) presentation of David Ireland’s (Playwright) ULSTER AMERICAN returns to the Sydney stage at Ensemble Theatre.