Gate, Dublin’s home for great European & American theatre
The Gate Theatre considered by many to be Dublin’s home for great European and American theatre, founded in 1928. As well as classics from the modern and Irish repertoire.
A space rich with history, it was at the Gate that Orson Welles, James Mason, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Michael Gambon began their prodigious acting careers. Award-winning director Selina Cartmell has served as Artistic Director of the Gate since April 2017.
Guests staying at Dublin Citi Hotel, just need 17 minutes to get to the Gate Theatre. Check out their current shows on their website.
Lord & Lady Longford
In 1931 the newly established Gate Theatre ran into financial difficulties and Lord (Edward) and Lady(Christine) Longford provided financial support. The Longfords worked with Edwards and MacLiammóir at the Gate until 1936.
Then, they split and formed two separate companies. Each company ran the Gate for six months of the year. Therefore, toured for six months until the death of Lord Longford in 1961.
During this period Edwards and MacLiammóir (Gate Theatre Productions) ran shows in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre and toured productions to Europe, Egypt and North America.
The 1980s–2000s
In 1983, Michael Colgan became Director of the Gate and during his 33-year reign, he produced many high-quality award-winning plays. That is to say, many of these have been seen throughout the world from Beijing to New York.
Under his stewardship, the Gate established unique relationships with leading contemporary playwrights including Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter and Brian Friel.
He produced the first-ever Beckett Festival, presenting all 19 of the stage plays over three weeks. He also produced the first-ever festival of Pinter’s plays and many premieres and productions of Friel’s work. Including the acclaimed production of Faith Healer with Ralph Fiennes which won a Tony Award on Broadway.
During his time, along with generous support of funders, the fabric of the building was restored and renovated under the guidance of Ronnie Tallon and Scott, Tallon Walker Architects.
Accordingly, this included the provision of a new wing, which incorporates a space – The Gate Studio – for use of rehearsals, workshops, offering practitioners an opportunity to develop and nurture creativity.
The Next Chapter
On 3rd April 2017, Selina Cartmell became Director of the Gate. As a freelance artist, she has directed a diverse range of work from Greek tragedy and Shakespeare, to international work and contemporary Irish drama.
In 2004, she established Dublin based Siren Productions, a multi-award winning company conceived to innovate the classics and create relevant and dynamic new work, integrating theatre, dance, visual arts, architecture, film and music.
Her productions, nominated for thirty-five theatre awards, winning ten including three for best director.
Additionally, she directed three award-winning productions for the Gate Catastrophe, Festen and Sweeney Todd, described in the Guardian as ‘new dawn for the theatre’. Her inaugural season at the Gate opened on 12th July 2017 with the immersive production of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
Ready to Book Your Stay?
Strategically staggered reservations are now open online for bookings from Monday, the 29th of June.
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