The Devil's in the Dance Hall
About this event
Presented by Belfast TradFest & Belfast International Arts Festival. The Devil's in the Dance Hall is inspired by the true story of Jimmy Gralton and the suppression of Ireland's rural dance halls in the early 20th century; a time when gathering to dance, to play music, and to think freely was seen as a threat. Drawing on oral history, folk memory, and the energy of the big-band era, Edwina Guckian has created an immersive theatre performance that brings to life the world of the parish hall as a place of movement, learning, courtship, argument, and possibility, and asks what happens when church and state attempt to dictate how a community socialise. At its heart, the performance celebrates the collective joy of dance as a form of defiance. Through spoken word, song, and the roaring sounds of The Gralton Big Band, it tells how Ireland's old dance halls became centres of community life, offering music, learning, debate, and freedom of expression, until church and state moved to close them down through the introduction of the 1935 Dane Hall Act. As the performance unfolds, the boundary between stage and floor dissolves, and the audience are invited to dance the night away. The hall fi
Event details
- Date
- Thursday, 22 October 2026
- Start time
- 00:00
Getting there & venue info
Belfast, See venue website, Belfast .
Good to know
What time does The Devil's in the Dance Hall start?
The Devil's in the Dance Hall is on Thursday, 22 October 2026 at Belfast, Belfast. The listed start time is 00:00 (UK time).
What are the set times for The Devil's in the Dance Hall?
Official set times for The Devil's in the Dance Hall haven't been published. The listed start is 00:00. Running orders are usually confirmed by the venue or artist closer to the date, so check their social channels.
Where is Belfast?
Belfast is at See venue website, , Belfast.
