With anecdotes both heart-warming and heart-rending, Abraham Lincoln relates his life story, from his early hardscrabble childhood through his eventual marriage, family, and the successful law and legislative careers that vaulted him into the presidency. Along the way, hear speeches such as Lincoln’s Lecture on Law, the House Divided speech, or the Second Inaugural Address, along with the show’s finale, The Gettysburg Address in a seventy-five-minute show that is entertaining, educational, humorous, and poignant. An Evening with Abraham Lincoln will leave you with a new sense of the humor, compassion, and statesmanship of the sixteenth president of the United States.The Hermitage was honored to host Jacob Truax for An Evening with Abraham Lincoln, and his performance was nothing short of exceptional. Jacob’s portrayal was both engaging and historically accurate, bringing the 16th President to life in a way that captivated our audience from start to finish. His command of Lincoln’s voice, mannerisms, and storytelling created an immersive experience that was educational, moving, and memorable. Audience members left with not only a deeper appreciation for Abraham Lincoln’s life and leadership but also a sense of connection to history that few performances can achieve. Jacob’s dedication to authenticity and his ability to engage audiences of all ages make him a perfect fit for our mission to deliver meaningful, history-rich experiences.

Queens of Irish comedy, Deirdre O’Kane and Emma Doran, are bringing their hit podcast Keep It Tight on the road. Fresh from their weekly podcast success, Deirdre and Emma are hitting the stage to share their take on everything that’s delighted, bewildered or downright enraged them. Expect quick wit with no topic off limits - from the highest brow to the lowest pelvic floor! With their natural chemistry and razor sharp humour, this is your chance to see two comedic powerhouses live and unfiltered.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, comedy, and charm as award-winning comedian and singer-songwriter Boothby Graffoe teams up with internationally acclaimed Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione. “Wot Italian?” Is a hilarious and heartfelt collision of Graffoe’s sharp wit and whimsical storytelling with Forcione’s virtuosic guitar mastery. This show promises a mix of brilliantly crafted songs, laugh-out-loud banter, and jaw-dropping musical skill—all served with a side of Mediterranean flair. From tender ballads to toe-tapping tunes, expect an eclectic mix of genres and an atmosphere that’s as warm and inviting as a Tuscan summer evening. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the tunes, or a little bit of both, "Wot Italian?" is a show that will leave your heart lighter and your spirits soaring. Don’t miss this unique collaboration—an evening of joy, artistry, and laughter awaits!

Join us for a special workshop sharing of a new play in development written by Brian Martin and directed by Tom Creed. The Deafening Bloom explores family, grief, forgiveness and the lingering tensions surrounding queer identity in contemporary Ireland. WRITTEN BY Brian Martin  DIRECTED BY Tom Creed Free admission but booking required.

Lily Burke will do anything to be a real girl. Even if it kills her. After a decade living stealth, Lily is murdered by her long-suppressed subconscious, Lilith. Trapped in the purgatorial Dolldrums, she reflects on a life shaped by sex, lies, and self-sacrifice. The Dolldrums is a modern parable about the truths we deny and the perceptions we embrace. No matter how far we run from ourselves, we can never escape who we truly are. A new play by Liath Hannon, star of hit Irish film Girls and Boys.★★★★ “Profoundly moving” // “de Stáinleigh’s superb sound design an unsung hero of mood and atmosphere. Along with Doyle’s throbbing red set” // “O'Donoghue cementing her reputation as one of the most intriguing young directors around” - The Arts Review ★★★★ “Another success for Jaxbanded” // “Cassidy’s lighting is haunting and evocative” // “Jaxbanded.. continue to push boundaries and expand the horizon of Dublin theatre” - The Reviews Hub ★★★★ “Impressively Slick” // “Liath Hannon is remarkable” // “the stylish cynicism of film noir” - The Irish TimesAge Suitability: 18+Warnings: Nudity / Reference to sexual violence and assault / Loud music / Strobe lighting / Homophobia / TransphobiaWRITTEN BY Liath HannonDIRECTED BY Ois O’DonoghueLIGHTING DESIGN BY Sophie Cassidy SET DESIGN BY Jodie Doyle COSTUME DESIGN BY Jodie Doyle SOUND DESIGN BY Ultan de Stáinleigh CAST Liath Hannon, Ruairi NichollTICKETS €21 | €19 (concession)RUNNING TIME 65 mins no intervalABOUT THE COMPANYJAXBANDED THEATRE is an Irish theatre collective collective that focuses on the urban, the undefined and the underrepresented. We endeavour to create new work that captures the simple beauty of live storytelling and its ability to bring people together by combatting a contemporary world that is increasingly divided. JAXBANDED has now produced a number of stage and online productions, including but not limited to Sentimental: A New Gig Musical (2023), HYPER in S&H (2023), DFF (2023) and EFF (2024), Hate F#%K (2024) in the New Theatre, Stone Cold Sober Remastered (2024), The Dolldrums (2025) in Smock Alley: DMT, and of course our newest work in progress show UNDERCOVERS (2026), which will next be performed at Beyond the Pale 2026. We are very excited to be developing bold new work for the Irish and world stage.

The Category Is: ICONIC.   Leave the 10s at the door. We’re bringing the heat, the hair, and the ballroom soul to the floor. This isn't just a party, it’s a legacy in the making.  Walk for your life. Own the night. Age Suitability: 17+ Warnings: Strobe / Strong language / Nudity / Sexual reference DIRECTED BY Saint Mar TICKETS €17 RUNNING TIME 2 hrs incl 20 min interval ABOUT THE COMPANY Haus of Saint is a collective of queer artists from different backgrounds that decided to get together and celebrate our existence. This is the house debut in the dublin scene.

Have you ever wanted to read a drag queen’s diary?  Of course you have, you nosey b*tch. Join Drag Legend Davina Devine on a glitter-soaked, high-heeled rollercoaster through her life and legacy. With razor-sharp wit, outrageous stories, and a whole lot of heart, Davina takes audiences behind the lashes and into her world, from the club to the main stage.  This is not just a show — it’s two decades of resilience and reinvention, rhinestones and a celebration of queer culture survival, and the unstoppable spirit of a true Dublin diva.Age Suitability: 18+WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY Davina DevineDIRECTED BY Oonagh Murphy & Rob Downes SOUND DESIGN BY Stephen DowlingTICKETS €22 | €18 (student/OAP/unemployed)RUNNING TIME 1 hr 30 mins no interval

PART OF THE ANDERSON OPERA SERIESZurich Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s stunning opera, A Masked Ball, filled with desire, treachery and political peril.Love and deception swirl at the center of Giuseppe Verdi’s stunning opera A Masked Ball (Un ballo in maschera) from Zurich Opera House. Riccardo, the Governor of Boston, is in love with his best friend’s wife. Caught between love and loyalty, Riccardo risks everything – his political standing and even his life. Verdi’s exquisite music comes to life with Gianandrea Noseda conducting Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House. Noseda’s passionate conducting style is perfectly suited for the high-stakes drama central to A Masked Ball. Two stellar casts alternate between performances, with ill-fated lovers Riccardo and Amelia played by Stephen Costello and Elena Stikhina (26 and 30 August), and Piero Pretti and Erika Grimaldi (27 and 29 August).Originally inspired by the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden, Verdi’s subject matter proved too controversial, forcing him to relocate the opera's setting from Sweden to Boston. Now, ‘razor-sharp’ (The Guardian) Welsh director Adele Thomas adds a fresh twist, transporting it to the opulent American Gilded Age, where sinister rumours threaten to spin this ordered world into chaos.The Anderson Opera Series, made possible by James and Morag Anderson, allows the Festival to bring internationally acclaimed opera to Edinburgh and ensures these unmissable performances remain accessible to the widest possible audience.With additional support from the Embassy of Switzerland in the UK, the Swiss Cultural Fund UK and the Consulate General of Italy in Edinburgh.Performed in Italian with English surtitlesWhere two performers are listed for one role, the second person named will perform that role on 27 and 29 August.

Journey through music from Europe, Africa and the Americas, from the Baroque period and beyond.Jordi Savall has dedicated decades to the rediscovery and appreciation of early music, and his many accolades now include the 2026 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize (often called the Nobel Prize of Music), recognising a lifetime of outstanding contributions.  He returns to the Festival after previous performances with his versatile Hespèrion XXI ensemble.Hespèrion XXI is known for pioneering interpretations of repertoire from the medieval to the Baroque periods. They join Jordi Savall’s Catalan singers, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, and Mexican trio, Tembembe Ensamble Continuo, to connect musical languages and influences across Europe, Africa and the Americas.  The ‘sea of music’ honours the millions of victims of the global slave trade and speaks to the cultural legacy of migration and diaspora that shapes our world today. The programme explores Mexican and Spanish repertoire from the Baroque period and expands outwards to embrace music from the 15th to 19th centuries.Supported by the Embassy of Spain in London

GANNET/ 'gæ-net: 1) Noun: strange looking seabird. 2) Slang: greedy person. 3) A dark comedy about a bird climbing the corporate ladder, created by two unemployable fools Peggy Pollard and Daisy Day. Created by Soho Labs alumni Peggy Pollard and Daisy Day, Gannet introduces you to over 15 satirical characters in a 'witty, thought-provoking and frenzied fifty minutes of fun' (Young-Perspective.net). 'Superb comedic integrity' (Audience review). 'I laughed all the way through and they terrified my boyfriend. Best night ever!' (Audience review).

Sanjeev Kohli’s comedy credentials are stupidly impressive with appearances in Look Around You, The Peter Seraphanowicz Show, The IT Crowd, Rab C Nesbitt, Fresh Meat, The Chief and of course as Naveed in Still Game. He has also appeared in films such as Stan and Ollie, Filth and most recently in BAFTA award winning I Swear. A great opportunity to hear from a man with a stupendous career.