Devious Theatre

08/05/2026

20 photos for 20 years!

This weekend marks 20 years since Devious Theatre was founded around a big pot of tea in Kilkenny City. With nearly 30 productions of all shapes and sizes in the can, we’ve kept ourselves more than busy over the years. We’re a little slower and more deliberate these days, but no less stealthy and well, devious. There’s still gas in the tank and we’re excited to share more deviations in the coming years.

Thanks to all our casts, crews, friends, supporters and audiences who have joined in the journey. We’re proud that a small guerrilla DIY outfit has lasted this long in Irish theatre and while it’s not always easy, it’s always been tonnes of fun. Our mission was always to bring fresh, weird, innovative works to audiences at home and away, and we’re hugely grateful to everyone who’s helped us steer the ship along the way.

All the love from the DTC x

23/02/2026

Photos from last weeks development of The Folklore Commission by Peter McGann & John Morton, directed by Sarah Baxter.

Photos by Ken McGuire.

https://devioustheatre.com/the-folklore-commission-in-development-20260216/

18/02/2026

Somehow, inexplicably, the company turns 20 this year.

What a fantastic way to celebrate by becoming the new artists in residence in the Watergate Theatre for 2026-2028.

Watergate Theatre is delighted to announce that Devious Theatre are Watergate Artists in Residence for 2026 - 2028.

About Devious Theatre: "Devious Theatre were founded in Kilkenny in 2006. We are an award winning artist collective whose work spans theatre, film, radio, comedy and site specific performance. We don’t like labels. Thus, our artistic credo is chaotic by design and distinctly guerrilla. Over the last two decades we have created nearly 30 productions and have toured our work nationally and internationally. We build new work from the ground up, starting with the ensemble and the questions they want to tackle."

Visit https://www.watergatetheatre.com/gallery/residencies/devious-theatre to read more about Devious Theatre!

Devious Theatre Kilkenny County Council The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Kilkenny Arts Office Community Radio Kilkenny City KCLR96FM

17/02/2026

This week we're workshopping The Folklore Commission, a new play by Peter McGann & John Morton, directed by Sarah Baxter - the makers of The Hellfire Squad and The Roaring Banshees.

October 1935. A group of folklorists connected to the newly formed Folklore Commission converge on an abandoned dancehall on the Kilkenny/Tipperary border. Superstition, paranoia and madness overtakes them as they reckon with the faerie lore of the site.

Thanks to our fantastic cast of Roseanna Purcell, Ian Toner, Pattie Maguire, Ashleigh Dorrell, Aaron Monaghan and Gus McDonagh for bringing the words to life.

Big thanks to the Watergate Theatre for supporting the development of the work and to Barnstorm Theatre Company for kindly hosting us.

Photos by Ken McGuire.

Print The Legend.

17/12/2025

Dreamgun bring a brand new film reading of Jumanji to John Cleere's Bar & Theatre tomorrow night, for one performance only! Roll the dice!

Dreamgun Film Reads: Jumanji (1995)

11/12/2025

Taboo by John Morton kicks off a two night run in The Watergate Theatre from tonight.

07/10/2025

The series follows a secret Irish rebel unit forced to start a new life in 1920s Chicago in the aftermath of a failed assassination attempt.

09/09/2025

Many moons ago when we did a season of Dario Fo plays, we intended on finishing it with a street production of Mistero Buffo, his version of the mystery plays. Alas, we never got the production on its feet and onto the streets.

How great it is to see our friends at Lake Productions revive the mystery plays for Kilkenny audiences in 2025, continuing a tradition that goes back centuries in the city. Best of luck to the cast and crew with their new production which begins tonight in the Black Abbey. It's all sold out and promises to be the theatrical highlight of the year in Kilkenny.

25/04/2025

We mourn the passing of our friend and collaborator Kate St. John. We met Kate when she joined the team at Young Irish Film Makers and began designing plays for Dreamstuff Youth Theatre. Kate joined us from the jump in 2006 and went on to design costumes for scores of our plays over the next decade. She was a brilliantly creative designer and a guiding light of patience and calm during productions. Kate was a brilliant friend to everyone in the company and we will miss her dearly. Our condolences to her family and friends at this time.

https://rip.ie/death-notice/kate-st-john-keating-tipperary-mullinahone-592245

25/10/2024

A fantastic appointment for Barnstorm Theatre Company. Congrats Janice!