The Plough and the Stars at 100: A Centenary Production at the Abbey Theatre

Sean O’Casey’s The Plough and the Stars returns to the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in February 2026, marking 100 years since its controversial premiere. The production, directed by Tom Creed, runs from February 27th to April 30th, 2026, with previews from February 27th to March 4th.

A History of Provocation

The Plough and the Stars first premiered at the Abbey Theatre on February 8th, 1926, and was met with a riotous reaction from the audience [1]. Now considered a masterpiece, the play offers a poignant reflection on Irish history and theatre. The Abbey Theatre’s new production aims to honor the play’s legacy and its continued relevance to contemporary Ireland [2].

The Play’s Narrative

Set against the backdrop of the 1916 Easter Rising, The Plough and the Stars focuses on the lives of residents in a Dublin tenement building. The play portrays the impact of political violence on ordinary people, exploring themes of idealism, social reality, and the struggle for Irish independence [2]. It is the third play in O’Casey’s “Dublin Trilogy,” following The Shadow of a Gunman (1923) and Juno and the Paycock (1924) [1].

Production Details

The production features a cast including Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty as Jack Clitheroe, Kate Gilmore as Nora Clitheroe, Michael Glenn Murphy as Peter Flynn, Thomas Kane Byrne as The Young Covey, Mary Murray as Bessie Burgess, Kate Stanley Brennan as Mrs. Gogan, Evie May O’Brien as Mollser, Dan Monaghan as Fluther Good, Domhnall Herdman as Lieutenant Langon, Ash Rizi as Captain Brennan, Fintan Kinsella as Corporal Stoddart, Conor Wolfe O’Hara as Sergeant Tinley, Caitríona Ennis as Rosie Redmond, Michael Tient as the Bartender, Marion O’Dwyer as a Woman, and Matthew Malone as The Figure in the Window [2].

The creative team includes Director Tom Creed, Set Designer Jamie Vartan, Costume Designer Catherine Fay, Lighting Designer Stephen Dodd, Composer and Sound Designer Michael John McCarthy, Movement and Intimacy Director Sue Mythen, Fight Director Ciaran O’Grady, Hair and Make Up artist Tee Elliot, Voice Director Andrea Ainsworth, Casting Director Barry Coyle, Assistant Director Éadaoin Fox, Assistant Set Designer Florentina Burcea, and Illustrator Shane Cluskey [2].

Performance Schedule and Information

Performances will be held on the Abbey Stage from Monday to Saturday at 7:30 PM, with Saturday and Wednesday matinees at 2:00 PM on select dates (April 8th and 22nd) [2]. The running time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an interval. Tickets range from €15 to €54, plus a booking fee. Special performances include a sign language interpreted performance on April 11th, 2026, a Touch Tour on April 18th, 2026, an audio-described performance on April 18th, 2026, and a captioned performance on April 18th, 2026 [2]. A Centenary Programme is available for purchase at the Box Office for €8. The play is recommended for ages 16+ [2].

The set design, by Jamie Vartan, features a plywood wall and a revolving pub platform, creating a dynamic staging that moves beyond a traditional recreation of a Dublin tenement [3].