Tinderbox Theatre Company

16/06/2026

ONLY THREE SPACES LEFT

The Incubate Intensive 🎭️

A three day energetic introduction to Tinderbox Theatre Company's bold and imaginative theatre-making process. Specifically designed to develop the skills, confidence and instincts needed to create daring new performance work.

Perfect for actors, dancers, directors, writers, designers and creatives of all experience levels.

Limited Spaces Available | 25 - 27 June | Tickets: https://themaclive.com/event/incubate-intensive

04/06/2026

The Incubate Intensive 25–27 June 2026

An energetic introduction to Tinderbox’s bold and imaginative theatre-making process, focusing on devising, movement, play, storytelling and creative collaboration.

Both programmes are designed for artists, performers, writers, directors, dancers, filmmakers and creatives aged 18+ looking to reconnect, recharge and create.

Places are limited. Book now via the themaclive.com

02/06/2026

Patrick J O’Reilly’s surprise celebration, marking ten years as Artistic Director of Tinderbox, was pure joy.

Thank you to everyone who came out, joined in the craic, and took a gorgeous walk down memory lane with us.

A huge thank you to Caoileann Curry-Thompson from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, our wonderful board members, the incredible actors who performed snippets from past shows, the brilliant MAC team, and every artist, creative, crew member, collaborator, supporter and audience member etc, who has helped shape Tinderbox over the past decade.

Images by Lost Lens Caps

01/06/2026

HAP SCHOOL returns to the MAC this month!

Led by Patrick J O’Reilly, this three-day creative wellbeing intensive is designed for artists and creatives who need space to reconnect with their creativity, restore their energy and find balance again.

Through creative play, relaxation techniques, mindfulness and artist-focused wellbeing practices, HAP offers practical tools to help you feel more grounded, resilient and creatively alive.

Learn more: https://themaclive.com/event/hap-school

21/05/2026

Looking back: Celebrating 10 years of Patrick J O’Reilly as Artistic Director Part 1

This post includes images from The Man That Fell to Pieces, Natural Disaster, King Ubu, A Thought for Your Pennies and Immaculate - just some of the plays, artists and creative moments that have shaped the last decade at Tinderbox.

Celebrating ten years of bold ideas, unforgettable worlds and extraordinary creative collaborations with writers, actors, designers and production teams.

20/05/2026

A brilliant feature in the Irish News celebrating 10 years of Patrick J O’Reilly leading Tinderbox Theatre Company.

From bold productions to fearless collaboration, Patrick reflects on a decade of making urgent, imaginative theatre — and what comes next.

Patrick J. O’Reilly reflects on 10 years leading Tinderbox Theatre Company, the power of creative opportunity and why fearless theatre-making still matters

15/05/2026

Two exciting opportunities are coming to the MAC this June with Tinderbox Theatre Company, led by Patrick J O’Reilly.

HAP: Holistic Arts Practice 22–24 June 2026

A three-day creative wellbeing intensive for artists led by Patrick J O’Reilly (creative therapist), exploring creative flow, stress relief, movement, mindfulness and restoration through specialised arts therapy techniques.

The Incubate Intensive 25–27 June 2026

An energetic introduction to Tinderbox’s bold and imaginative theatre-making process, focusing on devising, movement, play, storytelling and creative collaboration.

Both programmes are designed for artists, performers, writers, directors, dancers, filmmakers and creatives aged 18+ looking to reconnect, recharge and create.

Places are limited. Book now via the themaclive.com

25/04/2026

We’ve just wrapped Year 1 of INFERNO at Tinderbox Theatre Company with The Incubate Festival at The MAC, Belfast.

It has been a huge year of building, supporting and delivering new work and reimagining classics. Since becoming Associate Theatre Company at the MAC, Tinderbox has produced The Upside Down House, Animal Farm and Yerma in Bogotá, alongside Engine, HAP School, Ignite Open Rehearsals and the Love Letter Project.

Incubate brought the year to a close with 10 bold new works in progress from our Engine artists, shared with a brilliant audience.

Huge credit to the Tinderbox team, and thanks to every artist, collaborator, partner and audience member who helped make Year 1 possible.

Now on to Year 2 of INFERNO.

19/04/2026

What a brilliant Tinderbox Incubate Festival. Our third one!

A huge thank you to our wonderful audience for joining us, and to our incredible Incubate artists Clinton Kirkpatrick, Isaac Quinn, Heather Martin, Rosie Mullin, Denise McCready, Katie Bridget Murphy, Wilson McDowell, Grace Cunningham, Niamh Murphy and Gerard Headley for sharing such bold, exciting and generous work.

Thank you as well to the fantastic staff at The MAC, our brilliant stage management team and our volunteers for all of their support in making the day run so smoothly.

Congratulations to everyone involved on a very special festival.

Photography by Lost Lens Caps