By the Bog of Cats
Marina Carr’s fierce play is rooted in Greek mythology, and Hester Swane (Susan Lynch) is the Medea of the midlands. Scorned by her young lover, who is preparing to marry a woman younger still, Hester refuses to leave the home he gave her. She is the mother of his daughter, and she was born and raised by this Irish bog. A ferocious woman, full of sexual and intelligent energy, Swane’s fate is sealed by the play’s mythological starting point and the death of a swan whose fate was linked to hers. Lynch’s fireball performance is superbly supported by the smaller roles.
Marion O’Dwyer frequently steals the limelight as a comically hard-nosed mother-of-the-groom, while Bríd Ní Neachtain’s unapologetic Catwoman confirms the play’s feminine power. The energy dips in the latter half, as satisfying inevitability gives way to repetition. Hester, positioned to the front of Monica Frawley’s winter set, holds court with a procession of characters. Yet the bold ultimately triumphs over the meek in director Selina Cartmell’s production. If Hester Swane is destined to perish, she’s going to do so in a spectacular fashion. Eithne Shortall
Abbey, Dublin, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, €13-€45
01 878 7222
ARMAGH
50 Shades of Red, White and Blue
Leesa Harker comedy. Market Place, Sat 8pm, £18
028 3752 1821
BELFAST
Dancing at Lughnasa
New production of Brian Friel play. Lyric, today & Sat 2.30pm, Tue-Sat 7.45pm, Thu 1pm, £15-£26.50 028 9038 1081
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CORK
Man and Superman
Screening of George Bernard Shaw drama. Opera House, Thu 7pm, €10
021 427 0022
DERRY
The Beaux Stratagem
George Farquhar drama. Playhouse, Thu 7pm, £11
028 7126 8027
The Threefold Cord
New play by Scott Marshall. Riverside, Fri & Sat 8pm
£11-£14
028 7012 3123
DONEGAL
Last Stand
Andrew McNulty play. Balor, Ballybofey, Fri-Sat 8pm, €5-€6
074 913 1840
DUBLIN
Battle of the Axe
Comedy showcase with MC George Fox. Battle of the Axe Comedy Club, Tue & Thu 9.30pm, €5-€7
086 815 6987
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Fly Me to the Moon
Marie Jones comedy. Gaiety, Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, €24.65-€30.20
0818 719 388
Goodbye to Marie
Written and directed by Joe O’Neill. Smock Alley, Tue-Sat 8pm, €12-€15
01 677 0014
The Grandeur
of Delusions
Directed by Ann Brophy. Civic, studio, Tue-Sat 8.15pm
€12-€14
01 462 7477
Grounded
By George Brant. Project, Sat 6.30pm & 8.45pm, €18-€22
01 8819 613
Gotta Make that Train
Country and western musical. Tivoli, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, €24.50
01 4544 472
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Kai Humphries
With Gar Murran and others. Laughter Lounge, Thu-Sat 8.30pm, €26
01 878 3003
Language of the Mute
By Jack Harte. New Theatre, Mon-Sat 7.30pm, €12-€15
01 670 3301
Missing Football
Written by Peter McKenna. Viking, Clontarf, Mon-Sat 8pm, €12
087 112 9970
Moonlight and Music/Waiting
Jennifer Johnston double-header. Dolmen, Cornelscourt, Mon-Sat 8pm, €12
087 101 8202
Once
Award-winning musical.
Olympia, Mon-Sat 8pm, Sat 3pm, €29.50-€85
0818 719 330
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The Quiet Land
Starring Des Keogh and Derry Power. Bewley’s Café Theatre, Mon-Sat 1pm, €8-€12
086 878 4001
Swing
Staged by Fishamble. Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire, Tue-Sat 8pm, Sat 2.30pm, €14-€18
01 231 2929
A View from the Bridge
Arthur Miller play directed by Joe Dowling. Gate, previews Thu-Sat 7.30pm, €25
01 874 4045
GALWAY
Open Mic Night Comedy showcase. Roisin Dubh, today 9pm
091 586 540
Vernon God Little
Adaptation of DBC Pierre satire. Town Hall Theatre, Fri-Sat 8pm, €12-€18
091 569 777
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KERRY
Fado Fado
Celebration of bygone rural life. Siamsa Tire, Tralee, Tue-Fri 8.30pm, €27.50
066 712 3055
KIDARE
Oliver
Staged by Brian Brady Youth Theatre. Moat Theatre, Naas, today 3pm, Fri-Sat 7pm, Sat 2pm, €12
045 883 030
LEITRIM
Sokalo Atlantic Rhythms
Staged by Zogma, Montreal. The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, Fri 8.30pm, €12-€15
071 965 0828
MAYO
The Dubliners Dilemma
Adapted and performed by Declan Gorman. Linenhall, Castlebar, Thu 8pm, €12-€15
094 902 3733
SLIGO
Beneath the Bone Moon
Written by Patrick Karl Curley. Hawk’s Well, Thu 8pm, €12
071 916 1518
TYRONE
Fiddler on the Roof
Staged by Golden Apples Players. Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Thu-Sat 8pm, £11
028 8224 7831
WICKLOW
The Gallant John-Joe
Tom MacIntyre play starring Tom Hickey. Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, €12-€14
040 238 529