Post-boom nation puts big themes on the stage

Fishamble’s Tiny Plays for Ireland project affords ordinary people the opportunity to speak their minds, writes Pádraic Killeen

LAST year was an excellent one for Dublin theatre company Fishamble. In Pat Kinevane’s one-man show Silent they enjoyed one of the most acclaimed hits of the year, and, in total, the company staged seven productions, performing almost 200 times in venues at home and abroad.

Notably, they continued to develop their Show in a Bag initiative. The latter assists writers to develop a piece for one performer, the aim being to produce a high-quality show that can tour with minimal overheads. Conceived under this initiative, Gina Moxley’s amusing one-hander The Wheelchair On My Face is touring the country, having debuted at last year’s Fringe.