LASTA Festival 2026 – a national festival for young people by young people and now in its fifth year - runs from 29 September to 7 October and the Town Hall Theatre Galway is one of seven regional venues participating. Discover what's on below..
This year’s Lasta programme at the Town Hall Theatre has been curated by three exceptional young curators - Natasha Nolan, Alison Dixon and Tara Finn under the guidance of cultural mentor Maisie Lee and supported by the team at the Town Hall Theatre. Tickets for all events are now on sale on the Town Hall website tht.ie or call box office on 091 569 777.
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 artist Shawna Flanagan and Asha Murray.
above: Aliens
Curious Industries & Dumbworld present Aliens, a multilingual live documentary: a real-life mother and daughter set out on a road trip from Donegal to southern Italy, exploring borders—crossed, blurred and broken. Blending performance, video and live music, it reflects on migration, inheritance and belonging. Town Hall Studio. Tues 29 September 8.30pm Performed in English, French and Italian with surtitles
The Rabbit’s Riot Theatre Company present Homesick, the story of Jason who returns after a three and a half week emigration to Australia. Town Hall Studio Thurs 1 October 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, Fri 2 October 8.30pm. 13+
BabyTeeth Theatre Collective How to Play Czardas on the Double Bass, a one-man, one-act, interdisciplinary play about guilt, ambition, motivation, and overcoming everyone's biggest critic, themselves. Town Hall Studio, Sat 3 October. Babyteeth Theatre Collective present The Little Songbird 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, Mon 5 & Tues 6 October 8.30pm.
above: How to Play Czardas on the Double Bass
La Chimera is the award-wining and critically acclaimed film by Director Alice Rohrwacher set in Tuscany in the 1980s and tells the tale of Englishman Arthur, recently released from prison, who embarks on a series of increasingly risky thefts. Town Hall Theatre Weds 7 October 8pm
The programme of events also features several free workshops. Al Belamy’s Access workshop Thurs 1 October 3pm - 5pm will explore ways in which theatre-makers can implement disability inclusion throughout theatrical work. Natasha Nolan's writing workshop Sat 3 October 11.30am - 2pm will help playwrights develop their writing skills and The Galway Repair Cafe Sat 3 October 3pm - 5pm will show us some practical repair techniques to fix our own clothes. Please note that while these workshops are free, a ticket is required.
above: Homesick, photo by Cat Bonner
Meet the Lasta Festival’s Young Curators 2026
This year’s Lasta programme at the Town Hall Theatre has been curated by three exceptional young curators - Natasha Nolan, Alison Dixon and Tara Finn under the guidance of cultural mentor Maisie Lee and supported by the team at the Town Hall Theatre.
Alison Dixon grew up between Galway and Dublin but has settled in her hometown Galway. Alison graduated from University of Galway with a BA Hons in Drama and English. She is passionate about fringe and multi-disciplinary work. She likes to incorporate visual art into her theatre work citing inspiration from artists like Niki de Saint Phalle. She would classify herself as a theatre maker as her passion for theatre extends beyond one discipline. Alison took part in the SELECTED internship with Galway Arts Festival in 2022.She has received training in the University of Galway, Lir Junior Academy, Gaiety School of Acting, Draiocht Youth Theatre and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has acted in numerous productions and also tried her hand at directing, costume design, set design and playwriting. A play she wrote was staged during the University of Galway Musical Society’s Fresher Showcase.
Tara Finn is a theatre-maker born and based in Co. Galway. Recent graduate of Theatre and Performative Practices and English, University College Cork, Tara is a passionate playwright and actor with interest in exploring themes in performance and writing like disability, queerness, and mental health. They are thrilled to be giving a voice and platform to emerging Galway-based artists. She is currently undergoing an MA in Drama and Theatre Studies in University of Galway, specialising in Playwrighting and Dramaturgy and is has a growing interest in the backstage elements of productions, specifically in sound design and costume design. Acting and writing credits include Ben's Sister in "My son, the actor." (Momentum, UCC, 2026) and Future Tara in "Eight Years" (Beco(me!)ing, UCC, 2025). She will be costuming for upcoming production "The Winters Tale" by William Shakespeare, (Dramsoc UG, 2026), with previous other credits incl several productions at UCC.
Natasha Nolan is a is theatre maker and writer, graduating from Drama and Theatre in the University of Galway. She has always had a passion for theatre and writing from a young age and is delighted to be part of this year’s LASTA Festival at the Town Hall Theatre Galway. She is currently directing Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, with the production coming to the Town Hall this November. The show is being produced by her theatre company, Are Ya Well? Productions, founded in 2025. Through this company she has also hosted rehearsed readings of local playwrights. Her aim to bring more Irish theatre and theatre makers to stages around Galway and the West of Ireland. She is also hosting a workshop during the festival that has this goal in mind, facilitating writers to go from page to stage.
Photos courtesy Town Hall Theatre. Main image of All My Friends are in Australia
Published on Updated on
