Greenwich+Docklands International Festival Announces 2018 Dates and First Commissions

Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF), London's leading festival of outdoor theatre and performing arts, today announces its 2018 dates, running from 21 June - 7 July in locations across Royal Greenwich, Docklands and Tower Hamlets.

The first commissions to be announced are Fly By Night by Duke Riley, a co-commission with LIFT, which will open GDIF in Thamesmead from 21-24 June and This Is Not For You by Graeae Theatre Company, which will have its world première in Woolwich as part of GDIF. Both events are part of 14-18 NOW, the UK's official arts programme for the First World War centenary. They also announce several commissions by outdoor arts commissioning network Without Walls, including Helen Eastman Production's Bicycle Boy, Belly of the Whale by Ockham's Razor, dip by Max Calaf Sevé, Travelling Light Circus' The Playground of Illusions and Dedicated to... by Candoco Dance Company. The full GDIF 2018 programme will be announced in March.

Artistic Director Bradley Hemmings MBE said today, "Last year GDIF broke new ground for a free outdoor theatre festival with a programme of revivals and new productions, set in evocative landscapes and locations. Taking this further in 2018, GDIF will bring world-class international outdoor theatre and performance to a range of new and resonant locations, from an atmospheric riverside site adjacent to the famous Bazalgette Pumping Station in Thamesmead to the historic military surroundings of the Royal Arsenal Woolwich. We'll also be marking key anniversaries, including the 50th anniversary of the first families taking up residence in Thamesmead and the 70th anniversary of the arrival at Tilbury of the MV Empire Windrush in 1948."

GDIF has also recently been awarded Gold, the highest level on Attitude is Everything's Charter of Best Practice, for its commitment to accessibility for D/deaf and disabled people.

Michelle Walker, Executive Director at FESTIVAL.ORG, said, "It's brilliant to have been recognised by Attitude is Everything for the work we have done to make GDIF accessible for audiences. Access for audiences and artists has been a priority for us since the very beginning and we will continue to ensure that GDIF champions accessibility and inclusion in the outdoor arts sector in the years ahead. Alongside our ongoing support of D/deaf and disabled artists in developing and creating accessible performances, we're delighted to have created a new role of Access & Community Engagement Manager this spring, placing our commitment to accessibility at the heart of the organisation all year round."

Suzanne Bull MBE, Chief Executive at Attitude is Everything, said, "We are delighted to award Gold, the highest level of achievement on our Charter of Best Practice, to Greenwich+Docklands International Festival. This is in recognition of a sustained and continuous commitment over the past three years to create an inclusive festival. Their diverse programme of international street arts is accessible to all; we want to particularly highlight the implementation of creative provision, such as audio description and BSL (British Sign Language) and providing resources that enable artists to make their work accessible. It is wonderful to have them on board."

This year the company behind GDIF has rebranded as FESTIVAL.ORG with a new website going live today (www.festival.org).

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