Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival Hosts International Programmers

The largest ever group of leading interNational Theatre presenters are expected in Dublin as part of a strategic initiative to promote Irish theatre abroad. Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival will play host to the delegation which includes presenters and promoters from some of the most important venues and festivals from around the world, all of whom are in Dublin to see Irish work.

In addition to seeing the full programme of Irish work in the Festival, the delegation are also here to see the work programmed in ReViewed - a showcase initiative of Culture Ireland, Irish Theatre Institute and Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival. The programme features four successful productions restaged for Irish audiences and international presenters during the Festival.

From the 7th - 9th Oct international programmers from across the world are invited by Irish Theatre Institute to visit Dublin for its annual InterNational Theatre Exchange to see these productions. This year among those due to attend are: Lissa Twomey, Director, New Zealand International Arts Festival Wellington; Lara Foot Newton, Artistic Director, Baxter Theatre, Cape Town; Anna-Elina Lyytikäinen, Programme Director, Tampere Festival, Finland; Jean-Denis Leduc, Artistic Director, La Licorne Theatre, Montreal; representatives from The Barbican, Bush and Tricycle London, Traverse Theatre and Edinburgh International Festival Scotland and the Millennium Centre for the Arts, Cardiff among many others.

In addition, Culture Ireland The Abbey Theatre and Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival are pleased to welcome the Director's Circle to Dublin, a group of key US and international presenters and programmers, who will hold their first international meeting in Ireland to coincide with this year's Festival.

Productions that have been included in ReViewed over the past two years are already reaping the rewards with significant international exposure. After appearing in past showcases international invitations to perform abroad were extended to Circus (Barrabas production, ReViewed 2008) which was invited to the Festival of Arts and Ideas, New Haven; Gavin Kostick's Heart of Darkness (ReViewed 2008), invited to the London Literature Festival; and Gare St Lazare's production of Beckett's First Love (ReViewed 2008) was invited to play at the Festival of Arts and Ideas, New Haven and the TBA Festival in Portland, Oregon and has also played widely in South Africa. One of the most Popular Productions in ReViewed 2009 Silver Stars, was invited to travel to the prestigious Under the Radar festival in New York and was subsequently invited to both Centre Culturel Irlandais Paris and the Tampere Festival, Finland. Also part of ReViewed in 2009, Nomad Theatre's production The Dead School, was invited to the Tricycle Theatre, London for three weeks last February.

With such successes as these, more and more productions are keen to take part in ReViewed each year. The showcase is a creative yet pragmatic way in which to promote the artistically successful work of Irish artists and companies and also to enhance the impact of available funding in a time of economic difficulty. It is hoped that showcase initiatives such as ReViewed will help to maintain an international presence for Irish theatre and continue to create touring and employment opportunities for Irish theatre artists and companies. ReViewed also clearly shows what can be achieved when organisations such as the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival, Culture Ireland and Irish Theatre Institute work in partnership to promote and create opportunities for Irish production companies.

In 2010 the following productions comprise the ReViewed programme at Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival: Samuel Beckett's Act without Words II (Company SJ), the multi-sensory performance Una Santa Oscura (Playgroup and Ian Wilson in association with Project Arts Centre), A special one off performance of Where Did it All Go Right? by Ponydance, and for the first time a work for young audiences will be included in ReViewed - The Girl who Forgot to Sing Badly (The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children in association with Theatre Lovett).

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival will bring the best of Irish and InterNational Theatre to the capital for 18 days from 30th September. www.dublintheatrefestival.com

Irish Theatre Institute (ITI), exists to advance the interests of the theatre sector by providing
information, support and advice services to established and emerging playwrights, theatre artists and companies; by co-ordinating and delivering research projects; and by initiating and presenting networking, promotion and showcase events at a national and international level. www.irishtheatreinstitute.com
Culture Ireland is the state agency for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide, working under the aegis of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. Culture Ireland creates and supports opportunities for Irish artists to present their work at strategic international festivals, venues, showcases and markets. www.cultureireland.gov.ie

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival receives financial assistance from the Arts Council. Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival gratefully acknowledges the invaluable support of its Title Sponsor. Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival is proudly supported by Principal Sponsors Dublin Airport Authority, The Doyle Collection and The Irish Times.

BOOKING DETAILS: Online: www.dublintheatrefestival.com Tel: 01 677 8899

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