A national festival for young people by young people, now in its fifth year, is now up and running until Wednesday, October 7, in seven venues including Galway’s Town Hall Theatre.
This year’s programme for the Lasta Festival in the city has been curated by three exceptional young curators: Natasha Nolan, Alison Dixon and Tara Finn under the guidance of cultural mentor Maisie Lee, supported by the team at the Town Hall Theatre.
Started in 2020 by Backstage Theatre in Longford, the event has blossomed to include venues nationwide, and this year’s line-up features an expanded programme of exciting theatre, music, film, visual arts, and workshops all showcasing the next generation of talented artists and programmers.
The 2026 line-up includes five fantastic theatre productions, an award-winning film and two exhibitions from artists Shawna Flanagan and Asha Murray.
Galway line-up
The Rabbit’s Riot Theatre Company present Homesick, the story of Jason who returns after a three and a half week emigration to Australia at the Town Hall Studio, this evening, Thursday, October 1, at 8.30pm. Includes themes of mental health and suicide.
LEGROOM Collective presents All My Friends are in Australia an exploration of friendship, distance, and the challenges of staying or leaving Ireland as a young adult. Town Hall Studio, Friday, October 2, at 8.30pm.
BabyTeeth Theatre Collective’s How to Play Czardas on the Double Bass, is a one-man, one-act, interdisciplinary play about guilt, ambition, motivation, and overcoming everyone's greatest critic: themselves. Town Hall Studio, Saturday, October 3, at 8.30pm. Babyteeth Theatre Collective will also present The Little Songbird. This is the tale of Mary Flynn, born cursed to atone for the sins of her mother, a fallen woman, in a town caught up with the goodness of men. Town Hall Studio, Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6, at 8.30pm
La Chimera is the award-winning and critically acclaimed film by director Alice Rohrwacher. Set in Tuscany, in the 1980s, it tells the tale of an Englishman, Arthur, recently released from prison, who embarks on a series of increasingly risky thefts. Town Hall Theatre, Wednesday, October 7, at 8pm.
The programme of events also features several free workshops. Al Belamy’s Access Workshop from Thursday, October 1 (3pm-5pm ) will explore ways in which theatre-makers can implement disability inclusion throughout theatrical work. Natasha Nolan's writing workshop on Saturday, October 3, (11.30am-2pm ) will help playwrights develop their writing skills. The Galway Repair Cafe, also on Saturday, October 3, (3pm-5pm ) will show attendees practical repair techniques to fix our own clothes.
Workshops are free, but ticket is required.
Tickets for all events from Town Hall website www.tht.ie or call box office on 091569777.
