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Dancing at Lughnasa

by Brian Friel

A group of women dancing exuberantly, kicking up dust around them, smiling, wearing light cotton dresses and skirts

Booking and details

6 April — 27 May 2023
This show has now ended
The event location is

Olivier Theatre

National Theatre
South Bank
London SE1 9PX

The award-winning drama from the writer of Translations

Harvest time in County Donegal, 1936.

Outside the village of Ballybeg, the five Mundy sisters battle poverty to raise seven-year-old Michael and care for their brother, ‘Uncle’ Jack.

During the Festival of Lughnasa, Pagan and Christian meet and collide. The sisters fight each other, love each other, dance, yearn and survive.

Brian Friel’s Olivier Award-winning play is an astonishing evocation of a family’s world on the brink of change.

Josie Rourke directs this striking revival, with a cast including Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls), Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted) and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Translations).

Performed 6 April — 27 May 2023 in the Olivier Theatre.

★★★★★

‘A nostalgic delight’

Sunday Times

★★★★★

‘Full of emotion and power’

WhatsOnStage

★★★★

‘An exquisite staging of Brian Friel’s evocative drama’

Guardian

8 Reviews

Suitability

Please note: This production contains haze, swearing and incidents of discriminatory language which some people may find upsetting.

Gallery

Open Gallery Dialog: 10 images Siobhán McSweeney as Maggie, Bláithín Mac Gabhann as Rose and Louisa Harland as Agnes watch Alison Oliver as Chris dance.
Siobhán McSweeney as Maggie, Bláithín Mac Gabhann as Rose and Louisa Harland as Agnes watch Alison Oliver as Chris dance.
Siobhán McSweeney as Maggie, Bláithín Mac Gabhann as Rose and Louisa Harland as Agnes watch Alison Oliver as Chris dance.
View 10 images
Siobhán McSweeney as Maggie wearing a long grey floral cardigan standing next to Ardal O'Hanlon as Jack in a brown cardigan. Justine Mitchell as Kate watches them in a purple dress. Siobhán McSweeney as Maggie standing in a yellow skirt, light green top and long grey floral cardigan. Louisa Harland as Agnes standing and smiling wearing a long beige dress. Siobhán McSweeney as Maggie wearing a long grey floral cardigan standing next to Ardal O'Hanlon as Jack in a brown cardigan. Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Michael standing in a grey suit. Tom Riley as Gerry spins Alison Oliver as Chris. Tom wears a suit and hat and Alison wears a blue skirt, cream blouse, and grey cardigan. Justine Mitchell as Kate sits in a chair at a wooden table wearing a long brown dress. Siobhán McSweeney as Maggie stands in the background in a long grey floral cardigan. Tom Riley as Gerry lifting Louisa Harland as Agnes as a part of a dance. Tom wears a suit and hat and Louisa wears a cream floral dress. Bláithín Mac Gabhann as Rose stands in a grassy field behind a string curtain wearing a green cardigan.

Production images

Open Gallery Dialog: 10 images Siobhán McSweeney and Ardal O'Hanlon in conversation with one another. Siobhán is wearing a red shirt and black jumpsuit. Ardal is wearing a black jumper.
Siobhán McSweeney and Ardal O'Hanlon in conversation with one another. Siobhán is wearing a red shirt and black jumpsuit. Ardal is wearing a black jumper.
Siobhán McSweeney and Ardal O'Hanlon in conversation with one another. Siobhán is wearing a red shirt and black jumpsuit. Ardal is wearing a black jumper.
View 10 images
Ardal O'Hanlon sits in a black jumper. Louisa Harland knits in a blue patterned jumper. Siobhán McSweeney with her hands pressed to her forehead in a red shirt and black jumpsuit. Justine Mitchell sits at a table wearing a white t-shirt. Alison Oliver sits at a table in a blue velvet top. Bláithín Mac Gabhann knits in a black t-shirt and glasses. Tom Vaughan-Lawlor sitting in a chair wearing a light blue shirt and a dark blue jacket. Tom Riley sitting in a chair in a white t-shirt. Josie Rourke leans against a chair in a blue jumper and pink scarf.

Rehearsal Images

Videos

A group of women dancing exuberantly, kicking up dust around them, smiling, wearing light cotton dresses and skirts
Play Video

Watch the teaser trailer

The cast of Dancing at Lughnasa posing for a group photo.
Play Video

Catch up with the cast

 

Cast

Amy Brown
Amy Brown photo portrait

Amy Brown

Understudy Kate & Maggie

Sean Donegan
Sean Donegan photo portrait

Sean Donegan

Understudy Michael & Father Jack

Lauren Farrell
Lauren Farrell photo portrait

Lauren Farrell

Understudy Rose

Louisa Harland
Louisa Harland photo portrait

Louisa Harland

Agnes

 

Production team

Director

Josie Rourke

Josie Rourke

Set and Costume Designer

Robert Jones

Robert Jones

Lighting Designer

Mark Henderson

Mark Henderson

Choreographer

Wayne McGregor

Wayne McGregor

Composer

Hannah Peel

Hannah Peel

Sound Designer

Emma Laxton

Emma Laxton

Video Content Creator

Chris Ross

Chris Ross

Casting

Alastair Coomer CDG

Alastair Coomer CDG

Associate Director

Séimí Campbell

Séimí Campbell

Associate Choreographer

Jessica Wright

Jessica Wright

Associate Video Designer

Arthur Skinner

Arthur Skinner

 

Dancing at Lughnasa Ticket prices

All performances
£20, £39, £49, £59, £69, £89

For concessions and discounts, see Ways to save

Visit our Ticketing FAQs for information on how to book, ticket exchanges and more.

 

 

Photography (Siobhán McSweeney, Justine Mitchell, Louisa Harland, Bláithín Mac Gabhann and Alison Oliver) by Will Douglas.