Docklands theatre may open in November

Gerry Ryan: trustee of the new theatre on Hanover Quay

DUBLIN’S NEWEST and biggest theatre, which will be situated in the Docklands, is likely to open in November and could stage the first musical by U2’s Bono and The Edge, it has been announced.

Broadcasters Gay Byrne and Gerry Ryan, who are both trustees of the theatre at Hanover Quay, laid the foundation stone for it yesterday.

The 2,200-seat theatre, designed by internationally renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, is being built exclusively with private money by developer Harry Crosbie, who estimates that it will cost €100 million.

He said they were working on the “exciting possibility” that the Spiderman musical, which is being worked on by Bono and The Edge, could have its world premiere in Ireland.

The as-yet unnamed theatre could face competition to host the musical from Broadway and London’s West End. But if the musical is finished and ready in time, it could open the theatre.

Mr Crosbie said major musical productions that would have been put off from coming to Ireland because of the absence of a suitable venue would now be able to come to the Docklands theatre.

“The capacity of the venue means that we will be able to ensure that the people of Ireland will be able to see world-class productions at a reasonable ticket price and without the added expense of a trip to London or New York,” he said.

“What we’ve seen across the globe is a resurgence of live entertainment and this theatre will help cater for the massively increased demand.”

Gerry Ryan said the timing of the opening of the theatre would be critical in its success.

“It’s a very challenging time for this to happen. We need to catch the international circuit. This is a receiving theatre. It is not a grant-aided enterprise. This is a commercial enterprise that has to work commercially, so on Monday you could have Cats, and on the following Monday the U2 musical, and on the following Monday you could have Mamma Mia.

“My experience is that when you have to survive on the value of a ticket, you have to deliver the very best.”

Gay Byrne described it as a “wonderful addition to the cultural life of Dublin”.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times