Cyclops

BEWLEY’S CAFÉ THEATRE with Volta Theatre Company and The Bloomsday Festival is proud to present the World Premiere of CYCLOPS by James Joyce. Adapted and directed by Liam Hourican​ with live period music from two acclaimed musicians!

Leopold Bloom finds himself in the proverbial lion’s den of Barney Kiernan’s, subjected to the simmering antisemitism of the blinkered Citizen and a jeering entourage. A toxic mix of heavy drinking, Dublin pub banter and political discourse culminates in an explosion of xenophobic violence and an assault with a biscuit tin.

In CYCLOPS, Volta draws on its roots in cabaret and sketch comedy to conjure Joyce at his comedic best.

After three sold-out runs of its critically-acclaimed Counterparts & A Little Cloud, the Volta Theatre Company returns to Bewley’s Café Theatre with an adaptation of the CYCLOPS chapter from Ulysses as part of the Bloomsday Festival 2026. Accompanied by a live band Joyce’s riotous and timely satire on Irish nationalism and Dublin drinking culture leaps blisteringly from the page.

“The little company with big ambitions called Volta… hit the dramatic nail on the head every time.” David Nice, The Arts Desk
“A perfect hour’s entertainment…” Katy Hayes, Irish Independent
“Superbly articulated performances…” Chris O’Rourke, The Arts Review​

Duration: 50 minutes
Age Guidance: 14+

CAST AND CREW​
ADAPTED & DIRECTED BY: Liam Hourican
FEATURING: Jim Roche and Liam Hourican
MUSICIANS: Feilimidh Nunan on Keyboard and violin & Conor Shiels on Oboe
LIGHTING DESIGN:Colm Maher
GRAPHIC DESIGN: Gavin Doyle

BOOKING INFORMATION
1-16 June
Mon-Sat at 1pm (doors open at 12.50pm)
With an extra 3pm show on Bloomsday, 16th June
Tickets: Low-price Mon/Tues €10, Wed/Thurs €12, Fri/Sat €15.
Tickets for both 1pm & 3pm shows on Bloomsday are €15

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible via the main Grafton Street entrance with a lift to the second floor.