As an even bigger than usual contingent of Irish performers prepares to travel to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next week, Culture Ireland is supporting a showcase of Irish theatre shows.
The national agency, established last year to promote Irish arts abroad, is part-funding 10 companies bringing Irish dance, theatre and cabaret productions to the Fringe, a key international platform for theatre, dance and comedy.
While many Irish companies and comedians are taking shows to Edinburgh, Culture Ireland is supporting 10 specifically, and yesterday the agency, along with Minister for Arts John O'Donoghue, marked their departure with a function at the new Ely wine bar at chq in Dublin's Docklands.
The shows, including both nationally acclaimed and newer productions, are: Barabbas presenting Hairdresser in the House; CoisCéim Dance Theatre's Knots; Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company's Resonance; Flipside Productions with Focus Theatre presenting The Friends of Jack Kairo; Inis Theatre's Tick My Box; Karen Egan with Danny Sheridan & Ban in Absolute Cabaret; The Performance Corporation's Dr Ledbetter's Experiment; Raw's Under Ice, directed by Rachel West; Rough Magic's Improbable Frequency; and Spanner in the Works presenting Cuss the World, a new play by Patricia Downey.
Culture Ireland and the Irish Theatre Institute will also host a reception in Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms to showcase the Irish performing arts for international promoters.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from August 6th to 28th. See www.edfringe.com