A must-visit for theatre lovers the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival, Ireland is one of the most important English-speaking theatre festivals in all over the world

A must-visit for theatre lovers the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival, Ireland is one of the most important English-speaking theatre festivals in all over the world. Visited by thousands of art lovers and leading theatre personalities the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival, Ireland is indeed one of the most significant festivals in Ireland which is held during the spring. The Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival was initiated as part of “An Tostal” which was created with the basic idea of attracting the tourists during the months of spring. It was part of the tourism expansion program of the government of Ireland and the main initiator of the festival was Brendan Smith.

Brendan Smith can be called the founder father of Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival in Ireland who had a theatre academy and was a famous director, producer, dramatist and impresario. He understood the need of expanding the tourism scenario and submitted a blueprint of his plan to the Irish Tourist Board. As the plan was accepted the dramatist got a grant which was used for the productions and arrangement of the prestigious Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival, Ireland. The idea was to bring about international theatre to Ireland and in the course helping the Irish people to get acquainted with contemporary theatre and productions. Smith also wanted the local plays to have a platform where the budding talents can showcase their productions. What better stage can they have than the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival?

Unlike the other festivals in which music and dance were an integral part of the festival the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival, Ireland solely concentrated on theatre and productions. In the years the festival has see some of the best performances of the world including “The Street of Crocodiles” from the famous Theatre de Complicite, Les Danaides which was shown as part of the Avignon Festival and two critically acclaimed Shakespeare productions by Declan Donnellan. In the 1960’s the Art Council took the charge of the festival and one important event that is organized as part of the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival, Ireland is the Friends of the Festival. Each year the festival has made changes and brought new ideas and challenges so that there is never a moment of stagnation. Plan you travel to Ireland in such a manner so that you can be part of the longest-running theatre festival of the world.