KAMP









I’ve just come away from KAMP by Hotel Modern feeling both disturbed and in awe. One of the most innovative shows I’ve seen, the performance uses film, puppetry, lighting and sound to create a harrowingly honest portrayal of the atrocities in Auschwitz.

This is an important production which emanates a sense of unease from the moment you enter. Faced with a replica of the concentration camp, complete with rows of disfigured, torture-stricken puppets and an eerie soundtrack, you immediately feel uncomfortable.

Depicting a day inside Auschwitz, memorable and incredibly disturbing scenes are laid bare for the audience to witness, including arrival by train, hangings, loading toxic substances into gas chambers, attempted escape, meal times and officer parties.


Cleverly manoeuvred by three talented puppeteers, the subtle juxtaposition of events and intelligent set depict the passing of time, portraying a bleakness, desperation and loss of hope that is more than a little unsettling.

Shot from an array of angles and perspectives, the power of KAMP is in the detail. Simple images such as a child’s piggy bank amid decaying belongings, enlarged on a sepia screen, say more than any dialogue. Honest but never didactic, the wordlessness creates an emotive starkness as the audience takes on the role of witness.

KAMP is an intricately planned production which covers a very important and delicate topic in a new and startling way. I have a feeling the images will stay with me for a long time.

Go if: you want to see groundbreaking theatre, covering one of the most sensitive and important events of all time, using an unusual yet effective approach.


Elizabeth rose Murray - Festival Blogger

Buck Jones and the Body Snatchers is a theatrical romp which will leave you feeling satisfied that you’ve been thoroughly entertained. This show caught my eye as soon as the Ulster Bank Theatre Festival Programme was launched. The idea of following the cast around a Georgian building was intriguing and certainly different to any show I’d seen before.

This production is excellently performed, with highly hilarious characters. Busty wenches, highwaymen, murder and revenge – the play has it all.

From the moment the watchman bursts into the room, to the closing scenes in the graveyard, the cast have you roaring in your seat. With bawdy comedy and innuendo, mishap and misunderstandings, the five-strong group skilfully play out multiple characters while seamlessly directing you around the various rooms.

The fun costumes and unusual setting add to the charm and authenticity of the performance. Buck Jones and the Body Snatchers boasts a punchy pace and the movement works – it’s up close, personal and great fun. You never know what’s coming next. I went on the afternoon performance but I’d imagine it would be even more atmospheric in the evening.

Go if: you want to indulge in some unadulterated comedy.

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is principally funded by the Arts Council.

Let the Manganiyar´s seduce you!









The Manganiyar Seduction is a very apt name. From the simple yet luxurious setting to the ethereal music, every detail is created to enthuse and excite the senses. As visual as it is aural, lighting is cleverly used to enhance the impact of the music and vocals while surprise, drama and comedy are used throughout to engage the audience.

One of the most attractive elements is the energy. From start to finish, the musicians maintain spirited performances despite being seated in small compartments. The drums actually made my lungs vibrate. Watch for the conductor exploding onto the scene. He orchestrates the show with verve and passion, driving it towards a dramatic climax.

The range of instruments is astounding. I’m still trying to find out what the name is of the instrument that sounded like a wasp – any ideas? Every voice is powerful, uplifting and beautiful. Somehow, each manages to remain individualistic, gathering momentum in a personal way whilst seamlessly fusing into a glorious sound which washes over the audience and has them swaying in their seats.










Another element worth noting is the sense of community. The Manganiyar Gypsies are Muslims who also worship Hindu deities and its astounding that such a high percentage of talented musicians could stem from such a secular group. The children are amazing to watch, proudly following in the traditions and influences of their fathers and grandfathers.

After the show, it’s worth taking a moment to absorb the excitement. Let everyone else queue to leave while you take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just seen. It’s not often something like this comes along and it should be savoured.

Elizabeth Rose Murray - Festival Blogger

Almost there…

With only a few days to go, the city is buzzing with anticipation. Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival posters adorn every lamp post, bookshop and billboard possible.
Tickets are selling fast!

As there’s so much to choose from, here’s an at-a-glance mini guide to the shows I’ve not yet covered:

The Blue Dragon: A vivid and emotional journey through hi-tech wizardry and magical storytelling.

Tales of Ballycumber: The power of memory, words and violence are explored in Sebastian Barry’s commanding production.

The Birds: The Du Maurier/Hitchcock classic takes to the stage with chilling and enthralling results.

To Be Straight With You: Compelling and poetic dance theatre exploration of tolerance, sexuality and religion.

Freefall: An intense and humourous journey as a stroke sufferer tries to rebuild his life from an explosion of memory.

Radio Muezzin: Documentary theatre at its best as hauntingly beautiful music accompanies four of Cairo’s Muezzins as they challenge Government decisions.

The Age I’m In: An emotive dance-theatre production exploring how we inhabit our age.

The Crumb Trail: Using a full suite of multimedia, discover a desolate world without fairytales.

Cet Enfant: With live music on stage, a simple yet emotional portrayal of what binds parents and their children.

The New Electric Ballroom: A glitter-dusted tale revealing the spiritually dampening effects of small-town life.

Once and For All: A multiple award winning show full of chaos, energy and magnetism. You might even miss being a teenager.

The Dead School: Pat McCabe’s novel comes to life on the stage in a titanic clash between modernism and tradition in 1970’s Ireland.

Silver Stars: a moving and eloquent song-cycle telling real-life tales of gay men seeking happiness from Dublin to New York.

slat: An intense combination of music, dance and live-art portraying the lives of feral/wolf children.

A Woman in Progress: An intriguing journey from small town life in county Mayo to the glitz of the drag world.

No Worst There is None: A ground-breaking fusion of contemporary choral music, poetry and performance set in one of Ireland’s finest houses.

Hansel and Gretel: An original and hair-raising take on the Brother’s Grimm classic (age 7+).

Hans Christian, You Must Be An Angel: A magical feast of the senses, visiting timelessly favourite characters (age 7+).

Goodbye Mr Muffin: A warm, humourous tale about the last days of a guinea pig (age 6+).

Songs From Above: Musical stories under the stars for children aged 2-4.

There’s also a range of special events that will involve and inspire you. You can order tickets direct from the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival website. My first show is The Manganiyar Seduction. See you there!

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is funded by the Arts Council

Festival Blogger - Elizabeth rose Murray

Festival Pick for today: KAMP

A powerful production without words, KAMP deals with the atrocities of Auschwitz using a stage-sized model of the concentration camp and thousands of miniature hand-made puppets. Using an inspired combination of animation, music and visual arts, actors relay events using hand-held cameras and the audience become witness. Imaginative, powerful and evocative, KAMP tackles one of the world’s most horrific events in a unique and dignified production.

Contains images of an adult nature.

Your chance to talk: speak to members of the company and discover the workings behind this commanding piece after the show on September 30th at around 9pm.

Samuel Beckett Theatre | Sept 29 - Oct 4

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is funded by the Arts Council

Festival Pick of the Day: The Pitmen Painters




We’re talking powerful, thought-provoking theatre when you combine London’s National Theatre and Live Theatre Newcastle with Tony and Olivier Award-winning Director Lee Hall (of Billy Elliot fame).

Set in 1934, The Pitmen Painters tells the story of working class heroes bettering their lives by investing in an art appreciation class. As their thirst for art grows, The Pitmen Painters gradually abandon the theoretical side and begin painting. Combining their jobs as miners with their newly found talent, the group refuses to comply with theories or conform to expectations and gradually earns a prestigious status within artistic circles.

Inspired by the book by art critic William Feaver, The Pitmen Painters addresses politics, cultural barriers and self-made opportunity, amidst a conflicting backdrop of art and mining communities.


Promising to humour and move you while making you think, this production will help you to realize the possibilities that lie within our grasp – the perfect antidote to the current economic climate.

Winner of the Evening Standard Best New Play Award in 2008, The Pitmen Painters draws on powerful dialogue and gritty realism. Already gaining rave reviews in the UK, The Pitmen Painters is set to become a global hit.

Of Interest: Internationally renowned writer Roddy Doyle will be in conversation with Lee Hall post-show on October 7th (approx 10.15pm).

For full details, click here

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is funded by the Arts Council

Festival Pick For Today: The Manganiyar Seduction


Sometimes, performances come along that you just know are going to be special. The Manganiyar Seduction at the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is one of those performances.


Directed by Roysten Abel, The Manganiyar Seduction was originally created for the opening of the 2006 Delhi Film Festival. Since its first production, the show has been weaving its magic across the globe, including Mumbai, Vienna and Croatia, gaining critical acclaim with audiences worldwide.

Roysten Abel groups over 40 musicians from Rajasthan against a beguiling backdrop based on the red light district in Amsterdam, creating a music-box setting which promises to enchant and reawaken you. Spanning three generations, the singers unleash their deeply-rooted gypsy traditions and history through their musical charms.

To understand the depth, skill and authenticity of the show, it’s important to understand that the Manganiyar gypsies are a caste of Muslim musicians who traditionally played to Kings. Their songs reflect their heritage and range from classical ballads to Sufi mysticism, covering topics such as feasts, life, birth and marriage.

The Manganiyar Seduction combines the complexity of classical music with the richness of folk, resulting in a colourful and uplifting performance which harnesses the nuances of theatre to create magic in music.


For anyone who still believes in magic or would like to start believing again – The Manganiyar Seduction promises to be an epic musical spectacle that will be unlike anything you’ve ever witnessed before.


Those who come away completely mystified can also take the opportunity to discuss The Manganiyar Seduction with Roysten Abel and members of the company on September 25th, post-show at 9pm.

I’m certainly looking forward to attending.

For a video clip and full details, click here.

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is funded by the Arts Council

Festival Blogger – Elizabeth rose Murray

Chekhov's Three Sisters

Festival Pick: Three Sisters



Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre is the perfect venue for the beautifully timeless Three Sisters.

Under the direction of internationally renowned Director Declan Donnellan, Cheek By Jowl and the Chekhov International Theatre Festival combine forces to drive one of Chekhov’s finest plays into unchartered dimensions.

Three Sisters tells the tale of young upper-class siblings who feel trapped in their banal town and dream of leaving for a better life in Moscow, until the dashing officer Vershinin arrives in town, imploding their lives and their expectations of the world.

At once a majestic and humorous family saga, Three Sisters delves into death, frustration, self-delusion and longing with tenderness and authority. Hailed as a touchingly humane and emotional love story, expect to be swept away by unforgettable characters and outstanding performances.

A particularly enticing aspect is that the play is performed in Russian with English surtitles. This is something I’ve only ever witnessed in operatic theatre, so I’m intrigued by how the nuances and subtleties of the original language will add to the performance.

Of note: Among his many accolades, Declan Donnellan has received three Laurence Olivier Awards and in 2004 he was made a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his work in France. Declan Donnellan will be available for discussion and questions pre-show on September 30th at 6pm.

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is funded by the Arts Council

Festival Blogger - Elizabeth rose Murray