POOR by Katriona O'Sullivan, adapted by Sonya Kelly

SOLD OUT 12 March - 26 April 2026

‘The best new play of 2025? Probably.’ – Sunday Independent

‘Delightful’ ★★★★ – The Irish Times

‘Triumphant’ – Irish Independent, ★★★★ – The Irish Mail on Sunday

★★★★ – The Guardian, ★★★★ – Feeling Good

The Gate Theatre is delighted to announce the highly anticipated return of POOR, the acclaimed stage adaptation of Katriona O’Sullivan’s powerful memoir, adapted by Sonya Kelly, directed by Gate Theatre Artistic Director Róisín McBrinn coming back to the Gate stage next year following its sold-out run and overwhelming audience demand.

Praised for its raw honesty, humour, and humanity, POOR captivated audiences with O’Sullivan’s remarkable true story, a journey from poverty to academia, resilience, and hope. Under the deft adaptation of award-winning playwright Sonya Kelly, the production struck a deep emotional chord, becoming one of the standout theatrical events of the year.

POOR charts Katriona O’Sullivan’s extraordinary journey as she emerges from her childhood in Coventry and Birmingham marked by poverty, addiction and homelessness. Moving to Dublin as a teenager, POOR follows O’Sullivan as she overcomes seemingly insurmountable obstacles to earn a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and inspire a generation through her writing, teaching and speaking. This unforgettable story is vividly and movingly portrayed through her close relationships with family and friends, and thrums with the music that has resonated through her life.

POOR is a co-production with Belgrade Theatre Coventry thanks to the support from Culture Ireland.

ADVISORY: Contains strong language, and references to addiction, sexual assault, drug use, and domestic violence. Please note that this production contains the use of smoke, strobing lights and flashing lights.

More information on Audience Care and Support for POOR.

Age recommendation: 14+

DURATION: Current running time is approx. 2hr 30 min including interval. Subject to change.

BOOKING INFORMATION:

POOR runs at the Gate Theatre from 16th March 2026 to 26th April 2026 (SOLD OUT)

Previews: 12 – 14 March 2026

Opening Night: Monday 16 March 2026

Closing Night: Sunday 26 April 2026

Times:

Evening Shows: Café and Bar: 6:30pm | Doors: 7:00pm | Show: 7:30pm

Matinee Shows: Café and Bar: 1:00pm | Doors: 1:30pm | Show: 2:00pm

ISL-Interpreted Performance: There will be an ISL-Interpreted performance of POOR on Saturday, 18 April at 2pm.

Accessibility: In advance of booking, we kindly ask that patrons with accessibility requirements to contact boxoffice@gate-theatre.ie

Due Diligence Statement for Child Involvement: The Gate Theatre is committed to the emotional, physical and mental safety and well-being of all participants, particularly minors. The following steps have been taken to ensure child actors are supported and protected throughout this production. Learn more about our policy.

Offers:

Group Offer (6+):
10% discount for group bookings of 6+. T&Cs apply. You can redeem this offer by contacting the Gate Theatre Box Office only. This offer is not available online. Subject to availability. Not redeemable in conjunction with any other offer. Rate applicable for groups of 6 or more.

Senior Offer:
OAPs can can avail of discounted tickets to see any show here at the Gate Theatre. These tickets can be purchased in-person from the Box Office on the day you intend to attend the show.This offer is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only. Tickets from €21.50.

CAST:

Text reads Hollie Lawlor - Young Katriona

CREATIVES:

Author: Katriona O’Sullivan

Adaptation: Sonya Kelly

Director: Róisín McBrinn

Set Designer: Aedín Cosgrove

Costume Designer: Lara Campbell

Lighting Designer: Paul Keogan

Sound Designer and Composition: Sinéad Diskin

Musical Director: Padraig Dooney

Movement Director: Jess Williams

AV Designer and Programmer: Michael Dunne

Associate Sound Designer: Ultan De Stáinléigh

Assistant Movement Director: Ghaliah Conroy

Voice Director: Cathal Quinn

Resident Assistant Director: Emma Finegan

The cast of Poor all gather on a red couch onstage, leaning to the right in Coventry jerseys. They are laughing and cheering.

Mary Murray, Ghaliah Conroy, Aisling O'Mara, Thomas Kane Byrne and Kieran Hamilton point at the audience from onstage. They're reading an invisible list in front of them.

Hilda Fay and Thommas Kane Byrne dance downstage, at the front lit in a bright light is Hollie Lawlor singing into a microphone.

Aidan Kelly and Katriona O'Sullivan celebrate by jumping on a red couch in POOR.

Hollie Lawlor and Aisling O'Mara look stressed onstage in POOR.

Aisling O'Mara dances onstage, lit by bright purple squares behind her. Surrounding her is a crowd of people in dark hoodies, also dancing.

Ghaliah Conroy presents food to Hollie Lawlor, surrounded by Thommas Kane Byrne, Keiran Hamilton, Mary Murray and Aisling O'Mara watch on around a red couch.

Building Upkeep Levy

As a registered charity, your support of the Gate Theatre is vitally important. All tickets purchased for Gate Theatre productions now include a €1.50 Building Upkeep Levy to help us maintain, enhance and invest in our historic landmark building. It helps us provide a world-class theatrical experience for our audiences, artists and local communities, while also safeguarding it for future generations. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing and invaluable support of the Gate and its work.

Four black logos on a white backdrop, including the Gate Theatre, the Belgrade Theatre Coventry, The Arts Council funding theatre, and Dublin Theatre Festival