The Dublin Theatre Festival was founded in 1957 with the intention of showcasing the best in international theatre while also bringing attention to new Irish productions. It’s the oldest festival of its kind in Europe.

            The Dublin Theatre Festival, sponsored by Ulster Bank, this year runs from September 24 until October 11. The Dublin Fringe Festival, sponsored by Absolut, takes place between the 05 and 20 September. While the main theatre festival features mostly mainstream dramatic works, the alternative festival showcases dance, comedy and theatre in various other guises.

            Many of the shows at the Dublin Theatre Festival are family friendly, with several shows aimed at children. A cultural centre aimed at this age group, The Ark, will host a number of shows through the course of the festival for kids of various ages, including four productions from Denmark. The Danes, who count Hans Christian Andersen among their number, know a thing or two about children’s entertainment and have a strong tradition in the field. The theatre festival includes an adaptation of Hansel and Gretel. There is also a musical specifically aimed at toddlers.

            More adult themed fare can be found elsewhere at the festival, although some of it deals with the education system. For those living or staying outside of the city, an adaptation of Pat McCabe’s The Dead School goes on tour, playing in Blanchardstown, Tallaght and Dun Laoghaire. Central to the play is the clash between traditionalism and modernity, with an older school teacher critical of a younger teacher’s techniques.

            Tradition and modernity also feature in Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov, with a wilting class of privilege being supplanted by the search for meaning in modern life. Chekhov has a high profile in Ireland, thanks in part to acclaimed Irish playwright Brian Friel’s recent adaptations of his work. A Russian production of Three Sisters – featuring a renowned cast and an award winning director – runs at the Gaiety Theatre between 29 September and 3 October. The play will be performed in Russian, so you may want to hear Chekhov’s lyricism in his native tongue (or ascertain whether the great playwright had a poetic ear at all). English surtitles are provided.

            An adaptation of The Birds – the short story by Daphne DuMaurier, made famous by the Hitchcock film, also based on it – can be seen at the Gate Theatre. The adaptation is written by award winning Conor McPherson and features a strong cast.

            Meanwhile, the Dublin Fringe Festival, which precedes the main festival, has a less conventional format, and the tickets are in general less expensive too. It features a more widespread selection of performance art. Some of the pieces are site specific. For example, “Basin” is performed at Blessington Street Basin in Dublin 7. It is an examination, through multimedia and more conventional live theatre, of the history of Blessington Street Basin. In keeping with the non-conformist expectations of the fringe festival, it has some magical elements, and includes a ninja duck poacher, ghost children and a trip through Narnia.

            Die Roten Punkte at the Metro Bosco Theatre ably parody Germany’s industrial music scene, with some very strong musical numbers that would fit into any 80s top ten chart, alongside great comedy. The name of their “hit single” says it all: “Ich Bin Nicht Ein Roboter (I Am A Lion)”. Reviews for this mock concert show have all been extremely favourable.

Dublin Theatre Festival Box Office: 01 677 8899

Dublin Fringe Box Office: 1850 374 643