Love at First Sight is a new gala play reading series developed by the Abbey Theatre.

The concept is simple – Artistic Director Caitríona McLaughlin invites an actor to select a script they love, and the role that they have always wanted to play in it. We then bring a group of actors together to realise that ambition in a live reading.

Placing the power in the hands of some of the world’s finest actors, they’re invited to follow their instincts and take on their favourite part.

There is only one rule for the actors – no Hamlet! And we gave one strong piece of encouragement – be bold. We asked the actors to disregard the limitations of age, gender or usual playing type and select the role they have always wanted to play. Join them for an experience to remember.

Upcoming readings: 

Future dates to be announced – sign up to our newsletter for updates

Previous readings: 

Thursday 3 October 2024: Fiona Shaw 

Fiona Shaw and company read 7 Minutes by Stefano Massini, translated by Francesca Spedalieri. This translation was originally commissioned and developed by Waterwell (Lee Sunday Evans, Artistic Director; Adam J. Frank, Managing Director) in New York City.

This work by Stefano Massini (Tony-award winning author of The Lehman Trilogy) is a razor-sharp portrait of unionised factory workers grappling in real time with the power imbalance they depend on for their very livelihoods. 

Fiona Shaw was joined onstage by Marty Breen, Amy Conroy, Derbhle Crotty, Zara Devlin, Kamila Dydyna, Sadhbh Malin, India Mullen, Ebby O’Toole-Acheampong, Eileen Walsh and Nyree Yergainharsian

Sunday 20 October 2024: Aidan Quinn 

Aidan Quinn brought us the tale of two old friends reunited as he reads Sam Shepard’s Ages of the Moon and was joined onstage for this reading by American actor, writer and director Steve Buscemi.

January 24, 25 and 26: Aidan Quinn and Steve Buscemi in New York 

Following their October reading in Dublin, Aidan Quinn and Steve Buscemi performed Sam Shepard’s Ages of the Moon at Barshnikov Arts in New York. For more information, please see here.