Stories From Dubliners

Smock Alley Theatre, 1662

Smock Alley Theatre, 1662, Ireland

Back by popular demand, Volta’s critically-acclaimed Counterparts & A Little Cloud has been expanded to include adaptations of three stories from Joyce’s debut work -- Two Gallants, A Little Cloud, and Counterparts -- as part of the Bloomsday Festival. These three short stories are vivid "slices of life" from early 20th century Dublin. Stunningly accompanied by live music, they portray a society in paralysis in immaculately detailed scenes: in Two Gallants , a couple of ne’er-do-wells mooch around Dublin on the make. A Little Cloud sees a sensitive soul thrown by a meeting with an old college friend back from London, while Counterparts takes us on a doomed pub crawl with an ungainly, bad-tempered law clerk. At once funny and tragic, Joyce’s tales are populated with an array of colourful characters who remain entirely contemporary, despite the bowler hats and Edwardian collars. ‘Exquisite… heart-rendingly perfect’ - Emer O'Kelly, Sunday Independent ‘Superbly articulated performances…’ - Chris O'Rourke, The Arts Review ‘A perfect hour’s entertainment…’ - Katy Hayes, Irish Independent WRITTEN BY James Joyce ADAPTED BY Liam Hourican and Jim Roche DIRECTED BY Liam Hourican and Jim Roche LIGHTING DESIGN BY Colm Maher COSTUME DESIGN BY Gillian Roberts SOUND DESIGN BY Feilimidh Nunan and Conor Shiel CAST Liam Hourican & Jim Roche TICKETS €21 | €19 (concession) RUNNING TIME 1 hr 10 mins no interval The Bloomsday Festival takes place on 11 - 16 June 2026. It is organised by The James Joyce Centre in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. ABOUT THE COMPANY The Volta Theatre Company is a new company with a mission to breathe new life into the classics. It has established a reputation for excellence with adaptations of works from Joyce and Shakespeare. With a residency at the National Opera House, it is a company of highly experienced actors, musicians and designers who have worked extensively in Irish theatre, television and film. The company was founded in 2023 by Liam Hourican and Jim Roche, long-time collaborators in sketch comedy for Channel 4, RTE and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Shakespeare productions include Hamlet (2024) and Macbeth (2025) at the NOH and Smock Alley. Joyce adaptations include Counterparts & A Little Cloud at the James Joyce Centre, Bewleys Café Theatre, the Draoicht and the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, Telemachus at the James Joyce Tower (Bloomsday Festival 2024/2025) and Cyclops at the Lexicon Studio. It has just completed a revival of its popular Macbeth at the National Opera House and Smock Alley.