The Passionfruit Theatre Company is a theatre company and music venue based in Athlone in the heart of the Midlands. The company has existed informally since December 2002, and formally since 2006 when we became a registered company limited by guarantee. Most of are members are young people from Athlone, with a few old fogies thrown in for good measure.  Our agenda is to perform new works that address important social issues that benefit the community by direct involvement or by raising awareness, and thereby providing a forum for discussion. And we’ve proved that we can do it!

The theatre opened its premises in Northgate Street in early 2008, made possible by a grant of 40,000 euro from the Dept. of Community Development, and by the generous sponsorship of Michael Macken and Elaborate Homes. It was designed, free of charge, by American theatre designer Budd Holden. Its capacity is fifty people; in short, an intimate venue in the heart of Athlone.

Picture a winter’s night in rainy Athlone. You make your way to 9 Northgate St:

 And you step inside the cosy atmosphere of the Passionfruit Theatre. You purchase your ticket and are shown to your seat by a smiling young person who takes your wet coat, and is glad you could make it. Then the old building seems to hold its breath as the stage lights go up, and for the next two hours you’re transported to another world. The old building lives again, and so do you…That’s what we’re offering!