Now in its seventh year, Dublin’s gay theatre festival has been a mixed bag for lesbians over the years. And if you’re a bi lady, forget about it. The first year, we didn’t appear in any, but, in fairness to the programmers, recent years have seen a change with more ovaries onstage year-on-year. For trans people, the only gender-bending has been drag. Unfortunately that seems to be continuing.

Let’s be fair to the programmers; this is a tough festival. Theatre isn’t for everyone (although it should be dammit!), with some people thinking it’s all a bit monocle and smoking jacket. So, they did what anyone would do when they started something – begin with what you know, which was gay boys and drag queens, and make it as attractive as possible to as many people as possible. It’s because they started like this, that they created a base upon which they are now building , adding ever more diversity.

Chalks by PowderPuff Productions, Ireland

PowderPuff Productions is one of the many exciting groups who are popping up around the gay scene. They are no immature “hi mom!” outfit though, as their manifesto proclaims:

Powderpuff Productions develops and presents high quality contemporary alternative and diverse theatre within a professional context that enrich the culture and lifestyle of our community and support creative, relevant, excellent and exciting theatre activity and development throughout Ireland.

Their addition to The Dublin Gay Theatre Festival is Chalks, the story of an artist who falls for a street artist.

It’s on at The Complex Two from May 3 to 8, with tickets €10/13/15

Working Late by RW Productions, Ireland

For me, this is the highlight of the festival. Written by the hugely-talented Rebecca Walsh (who also stars), this is the story of what happens when you work late at the office. Things get interesting when a closeted lesbian worker meets the new girl and they need to spend extra hours at work.

As Walsh has written this, you can be sure to laugh out loud and enjoy well-rounded characters. Do not miss.

Working Late is on at The Complex Two from May 3 to 8, with tickets €10/13/15

The Laramie Project by Wild Oats Productions

The Laramie Project is a bone fide gay classic. The true story of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, it is told in the for of interviews with people who knew Matthew, and those who didn’t but were moved by his killing. Shepard is a posthumous hero in the gay community, his parents doing sterling work to bring an end to hate crime.

The Laramie Project is on at The Complex One from May 3 to 8, with tickets €10/13/15

Dykeotomy by Kimberley Dark, USA

What a great title This should be a fascinating night’s entertainment. Kimberley Dark is a lecturer and performer who questions, comments and quips about all things gender. Mix it up, play with it, but don’t ever ignore it. What does it mean to be a man or a woman, or all of the nuances in between? Dark’s hilarious interactions with the audience regarding her confusion with dating are interspersed with her signature poetic stories — tightly crafted, highly moving social snapshots.

Dykeotomy is on at Panti Bar from May 10 to 15, with tickets €10/13/15

Kiss the Women by Hearts and Eyes Collective, South Africa

In 2007, a woman watched her partner be stabbed by a gang in South Africa. She deserved it, “because she was a lesbian”, according to the gang. Kiss the Women is a brave, and deeply moving exploration of growing up as a black lesbian in South Africa.

Although it sounds like it could be a tough watch, Kiss the Women is too audacious to be morbid; this is moving, yes, but funny and warm. Prepare to be moved.

Kiss the Women is on at The Teacher’s Club from May 10 to 15, with tickets €10/13/15

FYI: The Complex One and Two are situated in Smithfield Square, Dublin 7 and The Teacher’s Club is on Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

For more info and to buy tickets click here. You can also buy tickets at the venues before the performances.

Popularity: 1% [?]