Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Fest & The Ark Team Up For The Family Season

One of the most popular seasons of the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival over the past few years has been The Family Season. Programmed by The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children, each year more international gems are brought to Dublin for audiences to enjoy. This year the Festival is celebrating the fact that Dublin Loves Drama and thanks to the Family Season that includes children from ages 5 up.

This year hear the stories of a little old guinea pig in the sunset of his life, come on magical journeys deep beneath the earth's crust and lie down in an ocean of mattresses dreaming your wildest dreams.

Instead of rushing home through the 6pm traffic why not relax on a big bed of mattresses and experience a unique show from the Netherlands - Lying Down. Three cheeky sisters live in a magic house, a house where nothing is what it seems and sometimes the most unlikely things come alive! Lying down is about small fears, big dreams and the power of imagination. An enchanting fairytale for everyone who loves exciting bedtime stories, goodnight songs and a little magic in their lives. This show is for all children over the age of 5. Runs from 14th - 17th October.

The Festival and The Ark are also delighted to welcome Goodbye Mr. Muffin to Dublin. Once Mr. Muffin was young, strong and proud but now is old, grey and tired. He sits alone in his house reminiscing about the good times and sometimes about the not so good times. Using puppetry, animation and music Goodbye Mr. Muffin tells the charming and uplifting story about the last days in the life of a much loved guinea pig. Goodbye Mr. Muffin was awarded Best Children's Theatre Performance 2005/06 by the Association of Danish Theatre Societies and is suitable for ages 6+. Runs from 11th -13th October.

The award-winning Belgium theatre company Studio ORKA invite you to Lava, a fantastically fun journey into a special world somewhere between reality and imagination. Two soil investigators discover something quite wonderful while constructing a subterranean car park deep under Dublin Castle. Using fibre-optic cameras, they soon have proof that somewhere beneath the earth's crust, amongst the moles and worms, something (or someone?) is ALIVE! Ages 6+ running 17th - 18th October.

For bookings / times and other details see www.ark .ie Booking: 01 670 7788

The Ark gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council and the support of the Department of Education and Skills, Temple Bar Cultural Trust and Dublin City Council.

From 30th Sept - 17th Oct the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is presenting 363 performances, 31 productions from 10 countries over 18 days. International work; Focus on Polish Theatre and culture; new Irish productions; Festival shines a light on you the audience; Family Season; Festival on Tour; ReViewed and Special Events.

BOOKING DETAILS: Online: www.dublintheatrefestival.com Tel: 01 677 8899

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival receives financial assistance from the Arts Council. Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival gratefully acknowledges the invaluable support of its Title Sponsor. Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is proudly supported by Principal Sponsors Dublin Airport Authority, The Doyle Collection and The Irish Times.

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