ART

Seven Treasures
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle Until June 14
cbl.ie

Cloisonné enamels from the Japanese “golden age” of the art, the late 19th century. Over 100 exquisitely made objects including bowls and vases drawn from the collection of engineer and businessman Edwin Davies CBE, gifted to the V&A a few years ago, and from the V&A’s own historical collection. The gem-like glitter of the enamels inspired the popular association with the precious stones, one of the seven treasures named in Buddhist texts.

THEATRE

In Search of Mr B
Civic Theatre, Tallaght Until Apr 4 8.15pm €16/€12
civictheatre.ie

Brian McAvera has sculpted compelling one-act plays from the chaotic lives of, among others, Francis Bacon and Picasso’s many muses. In his latest play, he brings Samuel Beckett back to life, drawing on the music hall traditions and physical theatre that inspired the writer. Beckett had a famously conflicted relationship with his home country, and a life in France that was packed with incident: from working as amanuensis to James Joyce to fighting in the French Resistance, and a near-fatal brawl with a pimp. Despite the bleakness of the plays, his was a life punctuated by heroism and joy.