Description
The New Theatre is an intimate, critically acclaimed performing arts space situated right in the center of Dublin's historical and cultural Temple Bar quarter. Functioning as a vital, state-supported creative hub, it ranks among the most unique independent things to do with teenagers in Dublin. Operating inside one of the oldest standing properties in the area, the theater provides a brilliant platform where older children and teens can step behind the scenes of professional drama and experience the vibrant pulse of local Irish storytelling.
Ticket price points are set individually alongside each visiting production company, with a strong focus on keeping live performance highly accessible to the general public. While precise costs vary per show, standard student concessions and specialized early preview tickets typically range from £9.24 to £12.60 (€11.00 to €15.00), making it a competitive option for a budget-friendly family evening out. All tickets must be securely booked online in advance to guarantee entry to the intimate room.
If you are looking for the best place for an inspiring day out with family and teenagers, this independent dramatic powerhouse perfectly balances cultural heritage with a cozy environment. It provides a safe, welcoming indoor space where mature children can engage with socially relevant issues, discover the craft of independent playwriting, and witness raw, thought-provoking artistry up close.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- Historic Dutch Billy Architecture: Operates inside an exceptionally rare, standalone building structure dating back to 1691.
- Intimate 66-Seat Auditorium: Features a specialized, state-of-the-art proscenium setup that places the audience right at the edge of the stage action.
- New Writing Platform: Dedicated strictly to developing, casting, and staging world and Irish premieres from original local voices.
- Public Rehearsed Play Readings: Hosts regular public feedback script readings where families can observe the early development of a play.
- Integrated History Hub: Shares its historic 18th-century premises with the legendary Connolly Books shop, combining literary and political history under one roof.
Detailed Highlights
- The Intimate Proscenium Stage: With only 66 seats in the entire house, this auditorium offers an intensely close connection to the performers. Teenagers love the proximity, as there are no distant balcony seats, making you feel completely immersed in the live dialogue.
- Rehearsed Play Reading Nights: The venue frequently hosts public readings of newly submitted scripts. Curious older children can watch actors read raw material and participate in anonymous feedback sessions, learning how a script changes before production.
- Bloomsday Festival Productions: Every June, the venue becomes a central hub for Dublin’s famous Bloomsday Festival, staging unique theatrical adaptations of James Joyce’s works. It provides a brilliant, engaging supplement to high school English literature classes.
- The Historic Brick Foyer: Walking into the theater means stepping through centuries of local history. Built originally in 1691, the building's exposed architecture serves as a real-world history lesson for students exploring old Dublin.
- Connolly Books Shop: Housed directly at the front of the venue, this historic bookshop allows families to browse an extensive collection of Irish history, philosophy, and local literature before the main theater doors open for the evening.
Notable Past & Current Productions
- Joyriders: The landmark 1997 inaugural production written by Christina Reid that launched the venue's reputation.
- The Rasherhouse: A major, massive sell-out success by Alan Robert that established the venue on the Dublin scene.
- A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man: The venue's critically acclaimed custom stage adaptation of James Joyce’s iconic literary classic.
- Ledwidge: A specialized biographical production written by Gerard Humphreys celebrating the centenary of the famous Irish poet.
- Madame de Markievicz on Trial: A powerful, historically reflective courtroom drama written by Ann Matthews.
- Trifled: A bawdy, fast-paced modern romance production focusing on complex contemporary relationships.
- Bang!: A nuanced, award-winning play by Michelle Read exploring transgender identity and family dynamics.
0.02 miles
