Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland initiative is delivered by Theatre and Dance NI, in collaboration with Belfast International Arts Festival, and supported by the British Council Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Now in its fifth year, the Spotlight event aims to shine a light on exceptional quality theatre and dance work created by artists and arts organisations from here.

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 tour internationally. The Spotlight event also offers opportunities for media engagement, artistic development, and the possibility of future collaboration with overseas partners.

The seven productions from Northern Ireland being profiled in 2023 include:

• The Half Moon – written by Alice Malseed, directed by Emily Foran, produced by Alice Malseed, Emily Foran and Thistle and Rose Arts.
• Scaredy Fat – written by Colm McCready, directed by Seon Simpson, assistant director Gina Donnelly, produced by SkelpieLimmer.
• Lie Low – written by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth, directed by Oisin Kearney, produced by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth & Prime Cut Productions.
• Whisk(e)y Wars – written, directed and produced by Joyce Greenaway.
• The Four Worst Things I’ve Ever Done – written and directed by Ewan McGowan, produced by Brunswick Productions.
• How to Bury a Dead Mule – written and produced by Richard Clements, directed by Matthew McIlhenney.
• Expecting – written by Charis McRoberts, directed by Stephen Kelly, produced by c21 Theatre Company.

Niamh Flanagan, Executive Director, Theatre and Dance NI said, “We are very proud of our theatre and dance creators and makers and are delighted to continue supporting them through the delivery of this, the fifth NI ‘Spotlight’ event and programme. This is an important initiative for the seven NI artists performing at the Fringe which helps increase their profile and further opportunities globally. We are also delighted to announce bursaries as part of a fellowship programme. This is to support a number of artists, directors and producers, to attend the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where they can promote themselves and their work for possible future performances there, as well as internationally. We wish all involved continued success.”

Richard Wakely, Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Belfast International Arts Festival, commented, “International exposure for our performance artists and ensembles at the Edinburgh Fringe brings with it valuable opportunities to extend the life of new stage and digital works as well as offering increased media and public profile, artistic development and the possibility of future collaborations with overseas partners. BIAF is delighted to support the 2023 edition of Spotlight on Northern Ireland Theatre and Dance which seeks to continue the success that NI based artists have deservedly found in Edinburgh in recent years.”

Colette Norwood, British Council Northern Ireland Arts Manager, said, “British Council Northern Ireland is delighted to again support the Spotlight on Theatre & Dance from Northern Ireland showcase at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe featuring just a selection of some of the most exciting current and upcoming productions available for touring from Northern Ireland.”

Alison McCrudden, Head of Literature, Drama and Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added, “The Arts Council is delighted to help spotlight the remarkable theatre and dance work being made in Northern Ireland today. It’s a testament to the creativity, tenacity and forward-looking focus of our artists that they have created such high quality and resonant works. It is vital that these important works are seen – and important too for audiences to get see them – and so it is particularly exciting that a huge potential market is opened up to them through the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.”

For a link to the Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from NI programme, featuring dates of performances and background details on each production, please visit https://linktr.ee/spotlightontheatreanddanceni

Pictured launching the showcase are (L-R) Molly-Rose Street, TDNI, Ewan McGowan-Gregg. Brunswick Productions NI, Stephen Kelly, C21 Theatre Company, Oisín Kearney, Prime Cut Productions, Una Nic Eoin, Prime Cut Productions, Niamh Flanaghan, TDNI, Alice Malseed, writer, Colette Norwood, British Council NI, front row seated includes, Joyce Greenaway, writer, Alison McCrudden, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Gina Donnelly and Seón Simpson of SkelpieLimmer. For further information visit https://linktr.ee/spotlightontheatreanddanceni