The Pan Pan International Theatre Symposium runs from Monday, January 6th to Saturday, January 11th at Project and Arthouse in Dublin:

First-time performances:

The three members of the actors' collective, German Stage Service, perform an hour-long play written and directed by Pan Pan Theatre Company's artistic director, Gavin Quinn. He says the show is "a comedy about war and weapons of mass destruction and adults who run away". Expect the absurd and anarchic with Pan Pan.

- January 6th to 11th, 6.30 p.m.,

Project Cube

Shelf Life, a "real-time film" performance bv the Big Art Group from Manhattan, in which actors perform live on stage and their actions are simultaneously projected on a big screen (like watching a film and the making of a film at the same time). The show is a "love quadrangle" about possession, media, and consumption.

- January 10th and 11th, 8:30 p.m.,

Project Space Upstairs

I Bought a Spade at Ikea to Dig My Own Grave, from the Madrid-based La Carniceria Teatro (literally, "the butchery of theatre"), is severely critical of contemporary life, as its title indicates. Performed by two adults, one child, and an opera singer, it is about "the darkest side of daily life". The company's impresario, Roderigo Garcia, had four plays at the Avignon Festival this year: impressive!

- January 6th, 8:30 p.m.,

Project Space Upstairs

Talks/discussions:

Events are free and the public is welcome.

La Carniceria Teatro, January 6th, 3 p.m., Project Space Upstairs.

Dood Paard, January 7th, 3 p.m., Project Space Upstairs.

Workshops

Various Irish and international companies will work with Irish performers throughout the week, and the results will be showcased in free public events at Arthouse. While most places are filled, potential participants should call Pan Pan on 01-280-0544.

Semper Fi (Ireland) creates a show with 15 actors, using the text of Heiner Muller's Slaughter; live public performance, January 7th, 1 p.m.

Loose Canon creates a show with 15 actors; live public performance, January 8th, 1 p.m.

Corcadorca creates a show with 15 actors and the young writer, Nancy Harris; live public performance, January 9th, 1 p.m.

Bedrock's artistic director, Jimmy Fay, creates a piece with four dancers, in association with the Institute of Choreography and Dance in Cork; live public performance, January 10th, 1 p.m.

Dood Paard conducts a one-day workshop with 15 actors; live public performance, January 10th, 5 p.m.

Big Art Group conducts a one-day workshop with 15 actors; live public performance, January 11th, 5 p.m.