The Absolut Dublin Gay Theatre Festival

Various venues, Dublin, May 4-17 €15/€10 www.gaytheatre.ie

Now in its sixth year of existence on the theatrical scene, the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival is here, it’s queer and everybody is very much used to it. One strange consequence is that the festival defines gay theatre so broadly – it can have a gay writer, gay contribution at almost any collaborative level, or themes that concern a gay audience – that it’s almost impossible to think of a play that doesn’t qualify.

Perhaps that’s why the programme is so expansive. This year there are about 30 productions over two weeks, ranging from straight drama (so to speak) to musical theatre, rap performance to contemporary dance, fully clothed turns to – a festival staple – nude performances (“It’s a special treat to see handsome actors play their roles in the buff” says the programme, earnestly). Previous experience has taught us that it’s a distinctly mixed bag, but watch out for the Zimbabwean piece, Loupe (Project, May 4-9), the physical theatre of Tchaikovsky’s Wife (Smock Alley May 11-13) and The Picture (of Dorian Gray) at the New Theatre.

Can’t See That? Catch This

The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast