Literature and Drama editor Gemma Bini presents an overview of Dublin’s queer theatre festival.
As May approaches, Dublin’s theatre scene prepares for the return of the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, now titled Wilde Stages. For all of you who might not be familiar with it, Wilde Stages was originally created in 2004 as a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s birth. A wide-ranging festival, each year Wilde Stages features a variety of shows pertaining to different genres which all represent different facets of queerness and the culture surrounding it. This year, the festival has a new director: Sean Denyer, last year’s winner of the Patrick Murray Award for Outstanding Contribution to LGBTQ+ Theatre. With a fresh vision at the helm and a programme that continues to celebrate the diversity of queer storytelling, this year’s Wilde Stages promises to be a vibrant highlight of Dublin’s cultural calendar.
A wide-ranging festival, each year Wilde Stages features a variety of shows pertaining to different genres which all represent different facets of queerness and the culture surrounding it.
But, what exactly will the festival show? The first week, from the 4th to the 9th of May, will feature twelve different shows. Wilde Stages has highlighted four of the most anticipated ones on their instagram: Sombrero, Dead Named, The Land of Make Believe and Capitalism: The Musical. Sombrero is a comedy, written by Sean Denyer himself and performed by the Acting Out Group. The story revolves around Niall and his ex Danny, who shows up to his house unannounced during a storm, leaving his current boyfriend Carlos behind. The storm will force the two to relive the highs and lows of their relationship, with a final twist. Dead Named will be shown as a double bill with Sombrero. Written and performed by Dian Cathal, Dead Named walks the line between comedy and drama, wittily exploring profound, personal themes of loss and transition. The Land of Make Believe, also a true story, follows the life of Mark Power. Imagination is central to his story, as a tool that allowed him to overcome trauma and navigate life as a musician in Europe. Speaking of music, Capitalism: The Musical will present an international cast and a live band, telling the story of our economic system and the culture it creates. Written by Deidre Murphy, it was first performed in 2013 and has had such success since that its fame spread beyond the borders of Ireland, with performances that took place in Italy.
The second week will run from the 11th to the 17th of May. The shows featured will take on more of an international twist, with plays such as One Morning at the Office, Subhuman and Hunter. Written and performed by American comedian Vandy Beth Glenn, One Morning at the Office is a solo performance about the author’s transition story. When she finally accepted herself, she had to face the rejection of her own employer who fired her upon her coming out. Between comedy and self-reflection, Glenn recounts quietly growing up in the US with deep feelings of gender dysphoria and navigating an often unaccepting society. Subhuman is also a play coming here from across the ocean, written by Canadian author Natalie Meisner. Subhuman is the story of Evie, a woman whose peaceful and happy life is turned upside down when she is asked to join a lawsuit by LGBTQ+ former service people purged from the Canadian military. The question is: will she choose to focus on her newly found happiness or face the ghosts of her past? Finally, Hunter is a show written and performed by Spanish author Lluís Garau. The play confronts the world of pornography and the toll it has on a young man’s life. Trapped by the online world, the main character reveals a personal fragility beyond the image he gives of himself. Yet, he needs to face which side of himself will prevail.
Beyond these plays, there are many more shows and events taking place at Wilde Stages. For all those who would be interested in attending a show, the tickets are already available on the festival’s website. Plus, not only can you experience Wilde Stages as a spectator, but also as part of the organisation. If you’d like to try out working in a theatre, the festival is looking for volunteers to work at the box office, to help promote the shows and to assist the cast backstage. More information on what volunteering entails and who to contact is available online.
Wilde Stages is a pivotal festival for this city and for the Irish queer community. It uplifts and celebrates queer voices, providing a space to make art for artists that might not be given the same chances in traditional theatre spaces. If you’re interested in witnessing the creation of queer art and experiencing a different side to theatre, you should definitely check out this year’s programme.