Three major works, created by some of Northern Ireland’s leading theatre, dance and arts organisations, were spotlighted at Dance Base during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on Tuesday 19th August 2025. The Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland initiative is delivered by Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI), in collaboration with Belfast International Arts Festival, and supported by British Council Northern Ireland and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Now in its seventh year, the Spotlight event shines a light on exceptional quality theatre and dance work created by artists and arts organisations from Northern Ireland. Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the biggest arts marketplace in the world and taking part in the Spotlight event is an unparalleled opportunity for Northern Irish artists to connect and network with international arts industry figures with a view to having their work toured nationally and internationally. The Spotlight event also offers opportunities for media engagement, artistic development, and the possibility of future collaboration with overseas partners.
The three productions from Northern Ireland being profiled in 2025 were:
- Anthem for Dissatisfaction by Gina Donnelly with SkelpieLimmer Productions (originally produced in association with Brassneck Theatre Company).
- Consumed by Karis Kelly. A Paines Plough, Belgrade Theatre, Sheffield Theatres and Women’s Prize for Playwriting production, in association with the Lyric Belfast.
- Shame Show by Colm McCready and Fergus Wachala-Kelly with SkelpieLimmer Productions.
Intoducing the event, Theatre and Dance NI Executive Director, Niamh Flanagan said:
To all our artists here: thank you. Your spirit and entrepreneurial drive in getting to Edinburgh and making such a success of it is extraordinary. We’re honoured to support your journeys and proud to continue doing so.
We’re proud not only of the successes of our current Spotlight shows but also of those who have participated in the past – many of whom have gone on to tour locally, nationally, and internationally across the UK, Ireland, North and Latin America, Australia and Europe, significantly enhancing the reputation of our region and its people.
Siobhan Molloy, International Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland also made a compelling presentation discussing opportunities and initiatives available to artists, some of which are supported by ACNI and British Council NI funding. This included Center Culterel Irlandais, the Artists’ International Development Fund, and the first Northern European Mobility Opportunity call pilot programme. Siobhan also covered challenges to international working for NI based artists including Brexit, political instability, the impact of Covid-19 and more.
With around 80 international and national delegates in the room, the event was, as always, a resounding success, have a look through our gallery below.
