Local childhood pals make theatre dream a reality on the Southside

WHEN two childhood friends, Ger Gallagher and Anne Raleigh, set up their own theatre just over a year ago, little did they realise how quickly it would take off.

The Dolmen Theatre is located in a small space over the Magic Carpet pub in Cornelscourt on the Southside of the city.

The two pals have known each other since they were seven-years-of-age and always knew that they would work together on a project some day.

The idea for establishing the theatre came when they had difficulty finding a venue for Ger’s first play, ‘Weighing In’, a comedy about weight loss groups that was originally written as a radio play for RTÉ.

It was eventually adapted for the stage and debuted in the Mill Theatre in Dundrum two years ago. It then moved to the Dolmen and more recently completed a national tour of larger theatres.

Ger’s most recent work, entitled ‘Worth’, just finished a two-week run in the 60-seat Dolmen. The four cast members were Geraldine Plunkett and her son Marcus Lamb, along with Jenn McGuirk and Simon Toal.

“Four in a cast is huge for a small theatre, so it did well here and there was a lot of local support,” says Ger. “Now it’s just gone to The Viking Theatre in Clontarf.

“The first night here I must have lost half a stone! But it’s great, of course. You get a terrific high from seeing it work.”

Since its opening in January 2015, the theatre has played host to around 17 plays.

Impressively, despite the theatre being so young, its productions have included some big names on the Irish acting scene.

Isobel Mahon, who starred in ‘Glenroe’ and ‘The Clinic’, and Rose Henderson of ‘Fr Ted’ and ‘Fair City’ fame, both starred in ‘Weighing In’.

And Mary Murray, who played Janet, one of Nidge’s lovers and the brothel manager in ‘Love/Hate’, also starred in a production of ‘No Smoke Without Fire’, by Paddy Murray, in the Dolmen.

When Ger and Anne secured the space over the pub, it wasn’t long before they had moved in and were ready for business.

“It all came together very quickly,” Ger explains. “As soon as we got the OK on the premises I think we were in a week later because there was so much work to be done – especially with the paintbrushes!”

Promotion of the theatre to local residents was one of the more difficult aspects of setting up the business according to the two owners

They initially had 15,000 leaflets printed and went door to door to advertise the first shows in the new venue.

“It’s hard to get the word out,” Anne says. “But it’s building all the time. It’s great when we get new people in.”

In an effort to increase footfall and to make sure the theatre is constantly busy, the two women have tried to entice local community groups to come to the venue and watch a show.

The Dolmen is set to be busy over the next couple of months with a number of productions taking place including ‘The Gallant John-Joe’, performed by Tom Hickey, which runs from April 23–30; and ‘Flan’s Yer Only Man’, written and performed by Val O’Donnell, which runs from May 3–7.

Further information on upcoming productions and ticket prices can be found at dolmentheatre.ie

Graham McGrath