International theatre promoters and programmers were treated to the full Irish yesterday at an information and networking breakfast at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Although nothing was fried, boiled or roasted, least of all the Irish performers, everyone enjoyed not only the light breakfast of fruit, pastries and coffee but also the buzz surrounding an important event for Irish performing arts.
Attended by more than 120 presenters, promoters, artists and performers, the networking breakfast took place this year for the first time under the initiative of the newly-branded Irish Theatre Institute (formerly Theatre Shop) and with the moral and financial support of Culture Ireland.
"Although we're not yet up and running and fully established," said Doireann Ní Bhriain, Culture Ireland board member, "we haven't let that stop us doing things."
The organisation is still waiting for the final approval of their strategy from Minister for the Arts John O'Donoghue.
Ní Bhriain and fellow board member Mary McCarthy were keen to stress that the Irish presence at the festival did not result from an agenda, but from the organisation's interest in supporting those who took a keen interest in appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Rather than canvass shows to appear in an Irish showcase, they had solicited interest from the Irish arts community and made a selection from those that applied for funding. Additionally, said Ní Bhriain, "we hope that not only the shows that applied and got assistance benefit, but also the shows that didn't will get increased attention".
On a broader level, adds McCarthy, exporting Irish arts abroad "builds goodwill for Ireland internationally".
Director Rachel West, whose company RAW is presenting a production of Falk Richter's Under Ice at the festival, praised the event for "putting people together who are otherwise dispersed in a huge festival". For small companies such as hers, the event provided a vital opportunity as well to speak to promoters in a relaxed atmosphere: "People aren't going to come to me, but today, the people are here for us. I couldn't do it myself."
Simon Toal, who wrote and is acting in his piece The Friends of Jack Kairo, agrees: "This event could make a difference."
Producer and Edinburgh Fringe veteran Maura O'Keeffe indicated how important the breakfast was in creating a sense of support and community. "I've brought shows here before, and you're always on your own. It's soul-destroying. It's kind of nice to do it as part of a group."
International festival programmers such as Elizabeth Walsh from the Tasmanian festival Ten Days on the Island, says: "I love Irish work." She hopes to "find something fabulous" for her festival, which showcases work from island countries. Guy Boyce, from the Christchurch Arts Festival in New Zealand, indicated that "two of the best works I've seen have been Irish - Knots [by CoisCeim] and Pumpgirl [written by playwright Abbie Spallen but produced by the Bush Theatre in London]".
A representative from the Under the Radar Festival presented by the Public Theatre in New York, Maria Goyanes, was also looking. The networking breakfast was almost "too good - a no brainer" to come and pick from a selection of promising productions.
Director of the Public Theatre Oskar Eustis will come to Ireland in October to present the keynote address at the Irish Theatre Institute's annual conference at the Dublin Theatre Festival.
Cliona Manahan, consul general of Ireland in Edinburgh, found it extremely heartening to see such a strong Irish presence at the Edinburgh Fringe. Irish Theatre Institute co-producer Siobhan Burke was satisfied with the outcome of the breakfast. "We'll judge the event on whether people got bookings or serious interest. If we get that, it's a success."