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DDF News — 24 May 2025

An Unforgettable Opening Night at DDF2025

Audience and performers at the opening night of DDF2025 during Chora by Luail and the Irish Chamber Orchestra at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

Opening night at DDF2025 was nothing short of extraordinary.

We began this year’s festival with Chora, a powerful performance by Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Theatre in collaboration with the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Held at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, the evening welcomed a vibrant gathering of artists, supporters, and special guests, setting the tone for what has already been a remarkable edition of the festival.

It’s hard to believe that opening night has come and gone, but the energy and excitement it brought have carried through each day since.

As we enter the final stretch of DDF’s 21st Edition, we pause to reflect on what makes the festival truly special: the people who bring it to life. This year’s festival is a celebration of the dance community and everyone who plays a part in making DDF what it is.

We invite you to revisit opening night through our gallery and continue celebrating with us through the final days of the festival.

And now, we dance.

Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company
Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company
Lisa McLoughlin, Jazmin Chiodi and Liz Roche pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Lisa McLoughlin, Jazmin Chiodi and Liz Roche
Dublin Dance Festival Board pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Dublin Dance Festival Board
Carina McGrail and Jazmin Chiodi pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Carina McGrail and Jazmin Chiodi
Maureen Kennelly, Liz Roche and Lisa McLoughlin pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Maureen Kennelly, Liz Roche and Lisa McLoughlin
Inna Mazurenko pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Inna Mazurenko
Katie Davenport pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Katie Davenport
Guy Nader and Maria Campos pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Guy Nader and Maria Campos
Miranda Driscoll, Liz Roche, Gerard Keenan, Cathriona Murphy and Moyra D'arcy pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.P
Miranda Driscoll, Liz Roche, Gerard Keenan, Cathriona Murphy and Moyra D'arcy
Gail McCabe and David Spears pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Gail McCabe and David Spears
Alessandra Azeviche pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Alessandra Azeviche
Wang Yeukwn and Elaine Liu pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Yeukwn Wang and Elaine Liu
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Maeve Staunton and Bill Oshafi pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Maeve Staunton and Bill Oshafi
Roberta Nolr,Adele Kirwan,Elaine Connolly, Lisa McLoughlin and Victoria O'Brien  pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dubl
Roberta Nolr, Adele Kirwan, Elaine Connolly, Lisa McLoughlin and Victoria O'Brien
Jazmin Chiodi and Benjamin Perchet pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Jazmin Chiodi and Benjamin Perchet
Ciara McGowan and Cat Robertson pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Ciara McGowan and Cat Robertson
Dunne & Crescenzi and Jazmin Chiodi
Dunne & Crescenzi and Jazmin Chiodi
Jazmin Chiodi and Ambassador of France in Ireland Celine Place pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian
Jazmin Chiodi and Ambassador of France in Ireland Celine Place
Miranda Driscoll, Helen Meany, Finola Cronin, Caroline Armstrong, Liz Roche and Moyra D'arcy pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy The
Miranda Driscoll, Helen Meany, Finola Cronin, Caroline Armstrong, Liz Roche and Moyra D'arcy
Niamh Mongey and Caroline Kennedy pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Niamh Mongey and Caroline Kennedy
Louise McSharry pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Louise McSharry
Aine Carmody and her daughter Ayesha pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Aine Carmody and her daughter Ayesha
Alex Vostovo, Rocio Dominguez, Jessie Thompson and Robyn Byrne pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian
Alex Vostovo, Rocio Dominguez, Jessie Thompson and Robyn Byrne
Jim CH and Chad Kam pictured at the inaugural performance of Chora from Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company, which opened the 21st Dublin Dance Festival at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre,Dublin.Pictire Brian McEvoy
Jim CH and Chad Kam

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