Acknowledgment of country

Polyglot acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and create, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. For more than 65,000 years, children and families have created and played here, and we are grateful to make our art on this country too.

October 03 - October 04 2026

Bees at Dublin Theatre Festival

Bees is a joyful interactive work in which children are welcomed into a world of community, communication, wonder and imagination.

Bees production photo: Theresa Harrison. Polyglot artists in intricate Bee costumes are perched on and around a large metal pipe on green lawn. Children wearing handmade paper antennae and wings sit on the pipe amongst them. There is a heritage red brick building in the background.

Presented in partnership with The Ark

Explore a buzzing, humming hive of activity, as three human-sized Bees busy themselves in the creation of a community alongside children who transform into bees as they play. The bees are fascinating, strange and beautiful, traversing invisible pathways and mapping delicate patterns across the performance space.

Inspired by the mysterious life and work of bees, this re-imagining of public space involves the slow uncovering of an intricate unseen world. Children are immersed in the sounds, shapes and scents of the bee world, from their familiar buzz to honeycomb houses. Bees uses ritual, non-verbal communication and the secret world of bee movement to provide a range of access points for children to participate.

This season is presented by Dublin Theatre Festival in partnership with The Ark, supported by the Australian Embassy.

Polyglot Theatre and its 2026 Dublin tour have been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. Polyglot is also supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

Logos: Polyglot Theatre, with tagline, 'theatre is child's play'; Creative Australia; Creative Victoria.

Venue

  • National Botanic Gardens
    Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 VY63, Ireland
    Google Maps link here.

 

Dates & Times

  • Saturday 3 Oct: 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm
    Sunday 4 Oct: 11am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm
  • These are FREE drop-in sessions with no bookings required.

Bees

  • Children and families choose how they interact with the performers and the landscape. Some participants may prefer a gentle experience, others may be more energetic.
  • Bees does not use bright or flashing lights.
  • Bees contains amplified sound and music that is played through portable speakers.
  • A Visual Story to help your family prepare for the experience is coming soon.


How to prepare:

  • When you come to a Polyglot show we recommend you wear comfortable clothing that allows you to enjoy moving. Remember that you have come for an adventure and there are many ways to begin finding your play. You are curious and this space is yours. Just as you might at the beach, do you take your time and dip your toe in to warm up, or do you run and jump right in? The worlds we set up welcome you to take your time and find your own way to your imaginative play; and our performers are there to join you, or play alongside you, and look after these worlds and their inhabitants.
  • Water, infants’ bottles and breastfeeding/chestfeeding are welcome, however we do ask that there is no eating (where possible) in the Bees performance space.

Dublin Theatre Festival

We bring world-class theatre to Dublin, support artists in creating outstanding work and provide a platform to showcase the best of Irish theatre to the world.

Dublin Theatre Festival 24 September to 11 October 2026.

dublintheatrefestival.ie/

 

The Ark

The Ark is a dedicated cultural centre for children. We create opportunities for children, along with their families and friends or with their school, to discover and love art. Through our work with leading Irish and international artists children can enjoy performances in our unique child-sized theatre, view engaging exhibitions or participate in creative workshops.

ark.ie

Watch the trailer

When

03 - 04 Oct 2026

Session time

11am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm

Cost

FREE, drop-in performances

Venue

National Botanic Gardens

Age

  • Children and families

Accessibility

  • Visual Story (Yes) Visual Story (Yes)
  • Registered Assistance & Companion Animals welcome Registered Assistance & Companion Animals welcome
Learn more
+353 1 677 8899

Contact

Polyglot Theatre

Contact

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