Getting into the spirit of the Fringe

From theatre to dance to circus, Dublin’s liberal performing arts festival returns for two chaotic weeks, says Pádraic Killeen

ECLECTICISM defines Absolut Fringe, the provocative performing-arts festival. This week, it returns for a fortnight-long assault on the capital. At The Fringe, anything can take place as long as it involves live performance. This year — the festival’s 18th — boasts the usual mix of theatre, dance, music, circus, comedy, pageantry and, y’know, whatever you’re having yourself, missus.

Among the prizes that Absolut Fringe bestows is a much-coveted ‘Spirit of the Fringe’ award, whereby the winning artists are given a commission to present new work at the Project Arts Centre, and awarded €5,000 to get the show off the ground. Recent recipients of the award include ThisIsPopBaby, The Company, and THEATREclub, three of Ireland’s most-touted young theatre companies.