It takes a lot of courage to admit this but before visiting The Gate I never quite understood what need it was supposed to provide for. It seemed to me to be just like The Abbey, only a longer walk from the city centre – and what could be good about that? In retrospect, as a more cultured and well-rounded person, The Gate will always hold a special place in my heart for being the place I first enjoyed a musical.
The musical was Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with lyrics by the incredible Stephen Sondheim. It was as the tag line promised: ‘more than just a musical – a razor sharp theatrical event!’ and it went on to win the Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards 2007 for best opera production.
The Gate was established in 1928 by Hilton Edwards and Micheál MacLiammóir, although the building itself is over 200 years old. Throughout its history The Gate has had a broad repertoire. Initially its focus was on giving Irish audiences a taster of European and American avant-garde theatre as well as to classic and modern Irish plays. Today the theatre still seeks to provide an inclusive programme, with something for everyone – hence the annual family Christmas play, this year The Old Curiosity Shop.
I have never been disappointed by a performance at The Gate. Most recently I saw the stunning production of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, translated by Brian Friel. Sensibility to the realist style of the play was breathtaking – the set was complete with log burner and full-sized conservatory. Spectacular set designs are all the more impressive at The Gate as each set has to be cut up on delivery and reassembled on stage due to the logistical difficulties of it not being a custom built theatre. To overcome such problems work has begun on a new wing which will provide a much needed workshop, rehearsal room and theatre archive.
It really is worth venturing to the top of O’Connell Street.