Rough Magic

Rough Magic Theatre Company

Dublin, Ireland

Arts & Culture

CharityFounded 1984National reach

Profile last updated: July 19, 2026

About

Founded in 1984, Rough Magic is a charity based in Dublin, Ireland working on arts & culture.

Rough Magic is an independent, artist-led national theatre company based in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 1984. It produces new Irish writing, reimagined classics and contemporary international plays for audiences across Ireland and beyond. The company runs artist development programmes, including SEEDS and COMPASS, to support emerging and established theatre makers from early development through to production. It has produced well over 140 productions, many of them Irish and world premieres, and has received several Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards and an Edinburgh Fringe First Award. Rough Magic is supported by the Arts Council and by individual patrons.

Location

Dublin, Ireland

Founded

1984

Organisation type

Charity

Legal name

Rough Magic Theatre Company

Registration

122753

Focus areas

theatrenew Irish writingartist developmentindependent theatreDublin

Languages

Causes & programmes

Causes

Arts & Culture

Works for

Communities

How they work

Capacity buildingCommunity programmes

Programmes

SEEDS

Arts & Culture · Ireland

Artist development programme for emerging theatre companies, offering residencies and works-in-progress showcases, including ROUGH WEEKEND.

COMPASS

Arts & Culture · Ireland

Artist development programme that brings new plays and adaptations from inception to production, in collaboration with producing partners across the country.

Rough Ideas

Arts & Culture · Ireland

Open call and writer development strand supporting new writers, including play readings.

Countries of operation

Ireland

Funding & support

Funded by

Government fundingIndividual donations

Ways to support

DonateMembership

Credentials & affiliations

Awards

Best Production

Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards

Best Ensemble

Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards2018A Midsummer Night's Dream

Best Actor

Irish Times Irish Theatre AwardsSolar Bones (Stanley Townsend)

Best Director

Irish Times Irish Theatre AwardsSolar Bones (Lynne Parker)

London Time Out Award

Time Out London

Fringe First Award

Edinburgh FringeTwo awards

Partnerships

Kilkenny Arts Festival, Gate Theatre, Abbey Theatre, Project Arts Centre, Lime Tree Theatre Belltable, Dublin Theatre Festival, Theatre Royal Waterford, Fidget Feet Aerial Dance

People

Management & team (5)

+ 1 more

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