Conor McPherson’s “The Birds” at the Gate Theatre

When asked during his Culture Night Q&A if he was afraid of the reaction of people who had come along to see the play expecting to see a version of the movie made for the stage, playwright Conor McPherson laughed and admitted “Not until now.“ From the celebrated author of such masterworks as Rebecca, Jamaica Inn and My Cousin Rachel, comes Daphne Du Maurier’s enthralling gothic tale of mystery and suspense. Immortalised by Alfred Hitchcock in his legendary film and now re-imagined in a chilling new adaptation by acclaimed Irish playwright Conor McPherson (The Weir, Dublin Carol, Come On Over, Port Authority and Shining City), The Birds is an unrelenting and spellbinding portrait of terror and alienation. His new play, a production of Daphne DuMaurier’s short story The Birds is currently showing at the Gate Theatre as part of the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival and it’s as far away … There’s more

Blown away by the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival 2009

If I didn’t have to work (and I do), I’d take September 24 to October 11 off this year and indulge in some world class theatre and events happening around the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival. Coincidentally around the same time as Arthurs Day and beginning not long after Dublin Fringe ends, the city is going to be awash with creativity. I picked up the brochure as soon as it came out and have been marking carefully what I’ll be going to, what I’d love to see and some of the brilliant events that are on. (Please note, I’ve had no contact with the Theatre Festival around the writing of this post - they haven’t suggested or requested it and nor did I - I’m just genuinely enthused by the line-up, and love telling people about this sort of stuff. It’s what I do.) So read on for some of … There’s more