19th century post office to be turned into dance hall for Dublin Fringe

As dusk descends over Dublin, members of the public are invited into the enchanting realm of CoisCéim Dance Theatre at their headquarters in Fairview Strand. There, the historic late 19th-century former post office, will transform into the pulsating heartbeat of the city – a dancehall like no other. 

CoisCéim Dance Theatre’s newest production, “DanceHall Blues”, is set to premiere on Sunday, September 8th. Under the direction of visionary choreographer David Bolger, the new production is described as a “shapeshifter” and promises to be one of the most memorable shows at this year’s Dublin Fringe Festival.

This performance will bring together Stephanie Dufresne and Alex O’Neill, two of Ireland’s most exciting dancers, for the first time, in an electrifying duet that captures the unwavering resilience of the human spirit.

“Through DanceHall Blues, we aim to blur the lines between fact and fiction”, explains director David Bolger, “in a surreal dancehall at dusk, with fearless abandon, the pair begin to dance – their powerful movements bringing hope in a place where dreams and nightmares collide”.

The upcoming show will make use of the dance company’s studios in the iconic building on Fairview Strand. Designed in 1888 by architect Robert Cochrane, this former post office bears a striking resemblance to the venues that historically hosted dances:

“Ireland has a rich history of dancehalls – hubs for social interaction, where dancing brings people together to share experiences.  This site-specific show for the Fringe will utilise the design of the building with the large windows, flooding in the light at dusk, illuminating contemporary themes and the close proximity of the audience allowing for a very deeply personal and emotional experience – immediate, dreamlike and disruptive .”

DanceHall Blues is an anchor of CoisCéim’s Dance Theatre’s programme celebrating its 30th year, coinciding with the 30th birthday of the Dublin Fringe Festival:

 “Throughout the early years of CoisCéim’s history, we showcased numerous works at the Fringe Festival in venues like the System Night Club and room 220 at the Morrison Hotel. The Festival has had a significant impact on emerging generations of theatre creators and the energy and the experimental essence of DanceHall Blues aligns perfectly with its ethos. I would encourage audience members, especially those who have not yet experienced a contemporary dance performance, to attend. The dancehall awaits.”

DanceHall Blues will premiere on Sunday, September 8th at CoisCéim Studio, 42 Fairview Strand, Dublin 3. The show will continue from September 10th-15th & 19th-21st as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival.

CoisCéim has been leading the way in accessible ticket pricing in recent years, and with this production continues to offer pay-what-you-can tickets.  As part of Culture Night Dublin, on Friday 20 September, this will include a Free option. See https://coisceim.com/