Largest ever Irish delegation performing at Edinburgh festivals
Druid Theatre Company, Landmark Productions and Ballet Ireland are among the many Irish companies presenting work at the prestigious Edinburgh Festivals this August, with the support of Culture Ireland.
Thousands of audience members across the Edinburgh International, Fringe and International Book Festivals will be able to enjoy more than 150 performances of Irish theatre, ballet and contemporary dance and appearances by Irish writers.
This year’s delegation of Irish work- the largest ever - is a key part of Culture Ireland GB18, a yearlong initiative promoting Irish arts in Britain.
Josepha Madigan T. D., Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht sent best wishes to this year’s delegation saying: “Irish writers, artists and performers have established a strong reputation in Edinburgh for high-quality productions, and this year’s programme at Edinburgh forms an important part of the Culture Ireland GB18 programme, focusing on building our cultural connections. The delegation, with the support of Culture Ireland, once again showcases the very best of Irish theatre, dance and literature. I wish them all the best and hope that their visit to Edinburgh is a springboard for further international opportunities.”
Since 2005, Culture Ireland has presented the works of more than 80 Irish companies and 120 Irish writers at the Edinburgh Festivals. The Festivals are a key cultural marketplace for new and emerging artists and in recent years, Irish work supported in Edinburgh by Culture Ireland has led to several Irish companies touring their work overseas. Highlights of the past few years include Fishamble touring both the Olivier-award- winning Silent and Fringe First-winning Underneath around the world; Corn Exchange’s production A Girl is a Half-formed Thing being invited to London and New York and Dublin Oldschool by Emmet Kirwan invited to London’s National Theatre with a movie version of the play currently on general release.
Irish Work at Edinburgh this year includes:
Edinburgh International Festival
· Druid’s production of Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett at The Lyceum for 11 Performances from 3 – 12 August 2018
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
· Landmark Productions’s The Approach by Mark O’Rowe at Rainy Hall, Assembly Hall for 22 performances between 2-26 August, 2018
· Class written and produced by Iseult Golden and David Horan, in association with The Abbey Theatre at the Traverse Theatre for 22 performances from 2-26 August, 2018
· Maz and Bricks by Eva O’Connor produced by Fishamble: The New Play Company at Cairns Lecture Theatre, Summerhall for 22 performances from 1-26 August, 2018
· My Left Nut written by Michael Patrick and Oisín Kearney, a co-production by Pan Narrans Theatre and Prime Cut Productions, at Red Lecture Theatre, Summerhall for 24 performances from 1-26 August, 2018
· Everything Not Saved by MALAPROP collective at the Old Lab, Summerhall for 23 performances from 1-26 August, 2018
· Ballet Ireland’s production of Giselle at Dance Base for 15 performances from 3-19 August, 2019
· WRoNGHEADED by Liz Roche Company at Dance Base for 15 performances from 3–19 August, 2018
Edinburgh International Book Festival (11-27 August, 2018)
Nine Irish writers - both established and emerging - will be featured at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (which runs August 11-27, 2018). The writers appearing with the support of Culture Ireland include: Eileen Battersby, John Boyne, Helena Duggan, Derek Landy, Paul Lynch, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Malachi O’Doherty, Donal Ryan and Darren Shan.
In addition to these works, Culture Ireland hosted its annual Networking Reception where Irish artists met and interacted with international promoters and presenters. This year’s event was held in The Hub, the headquarters of the Edinburgh International Festival, on Monday 6 August. This key moment in the Showcase programme and has an excellent track record of developing international contacts for the Showcase artists.