Declan Gorman

A staging of “The Dead” by James Joyce: framed in a personal memoir.

EXTRA PERFORMANCE: St. Patrick’s Festival Fringe

Can a book really change your life?

On a Winter’s evening in 1982, a young Irish emigrant sits in a Munich tavern reading a collection of stories. The course of his life is changed The book is “Dubliners”, borrowed that afternoon from a library. The final tale, “The Dead”, is regarded by many as the greatest short story ever written.

Following its sell out performances at Smock Alley Boys School in January, this “subtle, charming, theatrical” show returns for one night to our Main Space, as part of the national festival fringe. In 2022, Ireland and the world celebrate the centenary of Joyce’s magnum opus, “Ulysses”. We are proud once again to present this beautiful, intimate telling of “The Dead”, Joyce’s other acknowledged masterpiece.

Declan Gorman is a highly-regarded Irish playwright and popular performer, renowned in particular for his entertaining and humorous interpretations of the early works of Joyce (“The Dubliners Dilemma” / “Performing Dubliners”).This is his most personal work to date, sharing hilarious moments in his own life as an artist when the influence of Joyce was evident, while at the same time bringing the evocative story of a famous festive evening in Dublin c.1900 to vivid life, “as if we were there!”

Directed by Gerard Lee
Lighting Design: Conleth White
Chief Technician: Al Bellamy
Special thanks to tenor singer Noel O’Grady

Tickets €18 | €16 (student/OAP)
Running time: 95 mins including an interval

PRESS PRAISE FOR “FALLING THROUGH THE UNIVERSE”

“Just a chair, a coat stand and a copy of Dubliners!”
Joyce’s story allows Gorman to demonstrate his theatrical impulses, as well as his theatrical influences… manages to keep us engaged for 80 minutes
– Irish Times

“The Dead is brought elegantly to life!”
Gorman’s charming autobiographical play … dramatises clearly how Joyce’s writing has embedded itself deeply in Irish culture and influenced Irish artists of all kinds. His subtle performances of the different characters remind us clearly what a masterwork this story is.
– Irish Independent

PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS WORK

Gorman holds the audience enraptured throughout with a truly mesmerising performance … by no means exclusively for die-hard Joyce fans, making a brilliant introduction for newcomers!”
– Metro Herald, Dublin