Three exciting works from Northern Ireland were spotlighted at Summerhall Arts during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on Tuesday 18th August, bringing artists together alongside over 50 national and international industry delegates.
Delivered by Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI), Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland supports artists and companies to build connections with programmers, producers and other industry professionals, creating opportunities for their work to reach audiences nationally and internationally.
Taking place at the world’s largest arts marketplace, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the annual Spotlight event provides an important platform for work from Northern Ireland, while creating space for new conversations, connections and potential collaborations.
Spotlight 2026
The three works featured as part of this year’s Spotlight were:
- ALIENS by Marta McIlduff and Alessandria Celesia
- The Pitch by Philip Catherwood, produced by Moya Jane Productions
- Good With Faces by Oisín Kearney, produced by Gina Donnelly, with support from Culture Ireland
The event also introduced TDNI’s 2026 Spotlight Fellows, Heather Martin, Stephen Kelly, Mar Decena and Úna Nic Eoin and supported them to connect with the wider industry gathered in Edinburgh.
TDNI’s Operations Manager, Sophie Parker, welcomed artists, partners and delegates and reflected on the resilience, versatility and creative ambition of Northern Ireland’s independent theatre and dance sector.
She highlighted the international potential of work being created in Northern Ireland and the importance of creating opportunities for artists to develop relationships beyond the region:
“Despite our small size and peripheral position, Northern Irish artists are continuing to act on national and international stages. This year, we proudly return with great work and a Spotlight programme that shines a vibrant light on the strength and diversity of our creative community.”
Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer for Drama and Dance at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland then introduced the three featured works and artists, providing an insight into each piece and the themes explored through their work.
With around 60 attendees including artists, partners and national and international industry delegates joining us at Summerhall, the afternoon provided an opportunity for artists to make new connections, discuss their work and build relationships with people from across the wider performing arts sector.
From conversations between artists and programmers to introductions that could lead to future collaborations and touring opportunities, Spotlight is about more than a single event in Edinburgh. It is about creating the conditions for Northern Ireland’s artists and their work to travel further.
Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland an industry development and networking initiative 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.
We are also grateful for the ongoing collaboration and support of Culture Ireland, Irish Theatre Institute and Performing Arts Forum, alongside our colleagues and partners across Edinburgh and the wider UK and Ireland.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Edinburgh and, most importantly, to the artists who shared their work with us.
Take a look through some of the highlights from Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 below.
Photo credits: Ricky Parker Photography
