The British Council’s Edinburgh Showcase 2011 will give three of Wales’ most innovative companies along with 26 other UK companies, a global platform like never before – with 70% of all UK performers making their debut. The Showcase will present Welsh language New Writing as well as dance for the first time, and the opportunity to engage with audiences worldwide through digital media.
The Showcase will take place from 22 – 27 August, as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Since the British Council’s first Showcase in 1997, the event has given 146 drama and dance companies the opportunity to present their work to international delegates and subsequently tour overseas. This builds new relationships and opens up new markets for the UK’s performing arts sector.
The eclectic line up for this year’s showcase features leading Welsh producing houses such as National Theatre Wales, Sherman Cymru & Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru.
Details of their productions are as follows:
National Theatre Wales and Told by an Idiot (based in England), The Dark Philosophers
A conjuring of the world, life and stories of 1940s Valleys writer Gwyn Thomas, one of the most distinctive Welsh voices of the last century. This critically acclaimed production comes to the Edinburgh Festival with an outstanding Welsh cast. Taking as its inspiration Thomas’ ink-black comic tales, The Dark Philosophers is a funny, violent and passionate depiction of a community teetering on the brink of humanity. Using Told by an Idiot’s trademark anarchic physicality and inventive storytelling, this adaptation brings out the bleak, wild humour in tales laced with sex, murder and Thomas’ devastating Valleys wit.
Sherman Cymru and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Llwyth (Tribe)
The two leading Welsh theatre companies have joined forces to stage a new production of ‘Llwyth (Tribe)’ by the award winning writer Dafydd James. Rugby international night in Cardiff and the tribes are out in force. Wales has lost, but four gay friends are determined to have a night to remember… whatever the cost. Originally produced by Sherman Cymru in April 2010, ‘Llwyth’ received rave reviews and played to packed theatres throughout Wales, as well as having a sell-out run in London.
As well as presenting high-quality live performance, the British Council will for the first time curate a supporting programme of artist interviews, industry know-how sessions and critical debates which will seek to contextualise the work to be showcased. These include an introduction to UK theatre for the international delegates, hosted by Guardian critic Lyn Gardner.
The Showcase will also embrace the best of digital innovation in the UK, through elements including a panel discussion on the use of digital media in the Arts. This will be available to a worldwide audience as a webcast. Thanks to a new partnership with Arts Council England, a video trailer will be made for each of the 28 participating acts, providing them with a valuable tool with which to promote their work. For the first time, the Showcase will have its own public website. Wales Arts International is supporting the British Council digital activities to help promote companies from Wales. Over the last 12 months British Council and Wales Arts International have created a series of development seminars with partners, including Chapter Arts Centre and Aberystwyth Arts Centre. The seminars aimed to promote and discuss issues and benefits of international showcasing, with particular focus on the British Council Showcase.
Brendan Griggs, Head of Drama and Dance at the British Council, said: “We’ve made some changes to this year’s Showcase to create even more opportunities for UK artists and better value for the international delegates. 70% of the companies performing this year are new to the Showcase. When choosing the acts, our aim has been to identify work that fits with the British Council’s current programmes around the world and the interests of the partners with whom we work.”
John McGrath, Artistic Director National Theatre Wales, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the 2011 British Council Showcase in Edinburgh. The showcase is an extraordinary opportunity for UK companies to build relationships with international promoters, and it’s great that Welsh work is an increasingly strong part of the range of work on show. The Dark Philosophers is a vibrant, physical piece of theatre, which got a great response when premiered in Wales, and we hope that it will go down really well with delegates to the British Council Showcase.”
Arwel Gruffydd, Artistic Director Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru said: “Being selected to be part of the British Council showcase is a fantastic opportunity for both Sherman Cymru and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. This exciting partnership between Wales’ premiere new writing set up and one of our two national theatre companies, allows for a gloriously uplifting vision of Wales to be played out to an international audience at Edinburgh, as well as giving Welsh audiences the opportunity to see this landmark play once again when it returns to Wales in September.
We’re delighted that this contemporary, sassy and celebratory vision of Welsh culture is given such a prestigious and prized platform. We very much hope that Edinburgh audiences and the international delegates will enjoy this particular take on Welshness, with its bardic references, acid house and mix of popular Welsh tunes and gay anthems, all delivered by a hugely talented cast and a mixed voice choir appearing live on stage, will set hearts racing at the Fringe as it did here in Wales last year.”
Kath Mainland, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Chief Executive, said: “The British Council’s Edinburgh Showcase remains a true benchmark of quality that inspires international promoters and ensures that performers continue to return to the Fringe. Everyone in the industry is aware of the extraordinary benefits the Showcase brings to the artists involved, not least to unlocking the door to international touring opportunities.”
In organising the Showcase, the British Council has worked closely with a steering group of leading figures from drama and dance in the UK and those from Wales were: James Tyson, John McGrath and Fern Smith.
