Three Sisters
by Anton Checkhov
adapted by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth

“Maybe when more time has gone by, in two or three hundred years, people will know how to catch the fire before it ignites.”

 In a big house, in a small town; three sisters wait.

They wait for the right time to leave.
They wait for the love they deserve.
They wait for their lives to begin.

 And while they wait the world turns.

Directed by Marc Atkinson Borrull with designs by Molly O’Cathain, this enduring Chekhov classic is given a contemporary Irish take in a new adaptation by award-winning playwright Ciara Elizabeth Smyth. This adaptation is an examination of nostalgia, purpose and the cyclical nature of history, with a sharp twist of humour, and features performances by Megan Cusack (Call The Midwife), Lorcan Cranitch (The Crown), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Derry Girls), Breffni Holahan (The Nevers), Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders) and Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary).

Three Sisters premiered at the Gaiety Theatre as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival in October 2025.

Funded by the Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon with the support of Fishamble’s New Play Clinic. Developed at Smock Alley Theatre as part of the Hot House Development programme 2023.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “FLEET AND FRESH”

- The Irish Times [read full review here]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “THERE IS MUCH TO ENJOY IN SMYTH’S AMBITIOUS REIMAGINING”

- The Arts Review [read full review here]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ALIVE, FRESH, AND BEAUTIFULLY STAGED”

- Irish Examiner [read full review here]

Written by
Anton Checkhov

Adapted by
Ciara Elizabeth Smyth

Directed by
Marc Atkinson Borrull

Co-Concieved by
Marc Atkinson Borrull, Molly O’Cathain and Ciara Elizabeth Smyth

Presented by
Once Off Productions

AVAILABLE TO TOUR 2026

For touring details contact producer Maura O’Keeffe

PERFORMANCE DATES
8-12 October 2025 at Project Arts Centre, as part of Dublin Theatre Festival

Cast
Marty Breen, Noelle Brown, Lorcan Cranitch, Megan Cusack, Darragh Feehely, Breffni Holahan, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Terence Keeley, Alex Murphy, Cameron Tharmaratnam, Michael Tient, Máiréad Tyers, Fionn O’Loingsigh

Set Design
Molly O’Cathain

Costume Design
Molly O’Cathain and Sorcha Ní Fhloinn

Lighting Design
John Gunning

Movement Direction
Sue Mythen

Composition & Sound Design
Martha Knight

Casting
Áine O’Sullivan and Sarah Jones

Creative Producers
Cally Shine and Lucy Ryan