An empty stage. A painted cloth. Chaos. Dream. Abyss.

Emma Martin returns to DDF with Soft God, a new work commissioned by DDF and the Abbey Theatre which makes its world premiere as part of the 2026 Edition.

Soft God is a jagged ceremony that swerves between the mythic and the ridiculous, the carnivalesque and the everyday, between virtuosity and failure. Moving through a series of ever-changing scenes – a rambling house, a dance hall, a creation myth, a dream sequence and a never-ending folk dance – 8 performers cry, kiss, sing, sway, listen, stamp, hold hands and dance, insisting on ways to keep hope, meaning and spirit alive.

Against a backdrop of crumbling certainties, Soft God mines the collective imagination of this brutal moment, where to dream together and share one’s self is an act of defiance.

Mongrel. Messy. Superstitious. Uncouth.

Co-Produced by Dublin Dance Festival, Abbey Theatre and VISUAL Carlow. Supported by Town Hall Theatre.

Interspaces – Artist Talk: 

Gain insights into the visionary dance creations of Emma Martin.

Join leading choreographer Emma Martin for an engaging conversation as she reflects on her uncompromising and innovative practice. From her early training in ballet to creating striking multidisciplinary work across dance, theatre and opera, Emma has carved out a singular voice in Irish performance, creating highly visual dance works which are instinctively human.

More information and booking here.