Pretty Vacant

WRITTEN BY TOM SWIFT, MUSIC BY DARAGH DUKES 

When a Eurovision star turned property shark tries to sell her “visionary” regeneration plan for the Liberties, things quickly get out of hand in this biting musical satire about greed, gentrification, and the battle for Dublin’s soul. 

Carmilla is a former Eurovision sensation turned property mogul who’s here to “Set the Liberties Free”. Leading a community consultation for award-winning property developers U-Lynch, her “visionary” pitch to rebrand the neighbourhood descends into chaos when, to her surprise, the community “simply won’t lie down”. As the session unfolds, polite small talk dissolves into a surreal landscape where raw greed takes control and “community engagement” is the ultimate box-ticking exercise. 

This high-octane musical satire skewers the forces behind gentrification and the willingness of the people in power to play along. Set to a jukebox of Euro-pop bangers, Pretty Vacant explores the struggle of an area fighting for its soul and asks how wide the gap between satire and reality actually is. 

Pretty Vacant is a scathing, surreal, and deeply funny look at who holds the keys to the city and who is being locked out. Join U-Lynch for a “highly profit-effective” evening – just don’t expect to keep your home.

Funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Supported by Dublin City Council, Kildare County Council & An Taisce. Developed at  The Liberties Community Project & The Liberties Festival.