The 2010 ABSOLUT Gay Theatre Festival is gearing up to take over our fair capital in May for two weeks of dramatics, cabaret and performance. This bright glow of cultural enlightenment will electrify the city from Mon 3 to Sun 16 May.

The host of this cultural showcase is Dublin’s designated art zone, Temple Bar, with playwrights and thespians taking over a host of venues including The Button Factory, Boys School Studio, The Front Lounge, The George, Smock Alley Studio and The New Theatre. With its participants as diverse as its audience, this year’s programme is set to further cement Dublin's reputation as one of Europe’s literary platforms, as well as a recognized centre for gay theatre.

The streets will be spilling over with international talent from countries as far as South Africa, Israel, America, Holland and the UK as well as plenty of Ireland’s very own gifted and accomplished dramatists. A full programme is yet to be announced, so for more info check out www.absolutgaytheatre.ie or find the event on Facebook. Meanwhile, here is  a sneak preview of some of this year’s highlights:

10 - 15 May: Barbra & Liza Live, Smock Alley Theatre
New York sensations Brinberg and Skye join forces to bring audiences a spectacular mix of comedy, musical performance and a good dollop of gossip too. Skye impersonates Liza with unsurpassed energy and comedy, while Brinberg pays hilarious homage to leading lady Barbra Streisand.

3 - 8 May: Filth, Break for the Border
Direct from their four week residency in London’s West End, UK musical comedy double act Topping and Butch present this their outrageous show. With songs and one-liners that would melt granite, the pair has created a whole new genre. If you haven’t discovered these guys already, nows the time to do it.

3 - 8 May: The Timekeepers, Smock Alley Theatre
All the way from Tel-Aviv, this multi award-winning drama has been touring the world to huge acclaim and comes to Dublin for the first time. The play concerns a pair of watch menders - Hans, a pink triangle wearing German homosexual and Benjamin, a yellow star-adorned elderly Jewish man - thrown together in a concentration camp. An intimate and truly touching tale focusing on the distrust, conflict and eventual love of the two protagonists.

10 - 15 May: The Myth of Andrew & Jo, The New Theatre
This year sees the world premiere of this South African production that tells the story of two gay couples, one male gay and female gay. One from each team has a fol de rol and the result is an unplanned pregnancy served alongside some high comic chaos as these promiscuous youngsters cope with their new found responsibilities. Warm and deeply moving, as well as wet yourself hilarious... the perfect combination!

This unique arts festival aims to promote, commission and showcase new writing on gay related theatre and music. Ticket prices are kept deliberately low to make the events accessible to all. Prices range from €10-17 and can be booked online at www.absolutgaytheatre.ie or visit the Festival Box Office at Filmbase, Curved St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.