Galway Arts Festival 2010 Press Release

GALWAY ARTS FESTIVAL

12TH-25TH JULY 2010, GALWAY, IRELAND

The Hofesh Shechter Dance Company, Druid Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, New York Theatre Workshop, National Theatre of Scotland, Brad Mehldau, Bill Viola, Spike Jonze, Bret Easton Ellis, Henri Matisse, Brian Bourke, Alice Maher, Ian Rankin, and Sir Peter Hall are just some of the world-renowned companies and artists featured at Galway Arts Festival 2010.

Commenting on this year's programme, Galway Arts Festival's Artistic Director Paul Fahy stated, "Festival 2010 introduces a host of leading Irish and international artists with fresh, emerging, artistic talent and offers a far-reaching yet accessible programme dedicated to the performing and visual arts. We offer audiences the opportunity to come together to view the world through the creative lens of Galway Arts Festival and provide an essential platform and opportunity for artistic engagement, discussion and debate."

Amongst the highlights of this year's programme is the premier of a new show Political Mother from one of the world's most exciting young choreographers Hofesh Shechter, co-commissioned by Sadler's Wells and Brighton Festival, critically hailed as ground breaking and important creation; the premiere of a new play Penelope by Irish playwright Enda Walsh, in a Druid production, and the Bristol Old Vic making their Irish debut with a simmering production of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya directed by Andrew Hilton. Ireland's Corn Exchange bring the award-winning and compelling Freefall to Galway for their Festival debut while the sensational New York Theatre Workshop production of Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen's Aftermath based on the true stories of Iraqi civilians in a time of war also make their Irish debut in Galway. The National Theatre of Scotland embarks on a mini tour of Galway and Inishbofin with Long Gone Lonesome an evening of song and storytelling celebrating the life of Thomas Fraser directed by Vicky Featherstone.

Sir Peter Hall, one of the world's most celebrated theatre and opera directors is joined in conversation with critic and author Michael Billington while Brett Easton Ellis, Ian Rankin, Niall O'Dowd and John Lanchester also participate in this year's literary programme. Backstage at the Festival is a new series of post-show and gallery conversations creating an informal platform for audiences to hear artists discuss the process of creating their work.

An expanded family programme includes the Oxford Playhouse production of One Small Step by David Hastings and the delicious Space Panorama written and performed by Andrew Dawson both filled with imagination and joy, with Galway's Cups and Crowns presenting the premiere of The Magnificent Mind of Daisy Dunne aimed at younger Festival fans. New theatre work from Galway includes Decadent Theatre with The Quare Land, Electric Bridget's The Grippe Girls and An Taibhdhearc's celebration of the work of Máirtín Ó Cadhain and new work from Galway Youth Theatre. The streets of Galway will come alive with The Wild Hunt from Macnas directed by Noeline Kavanagh which is central to this year's street theatre programme which also features Tumble Circus and Bruce Airhead.

Live at the Festival Big Top features an amazing line-up of musicians and artists including a double-bill with The Human League and Heaven 17; a fantastic triple-bill with Josh Ritter, Cathy Davey and Damian Dempsey with Rodrigo Y Gabriella making a welcome return to the Festival headlining another Live at the Festival Big Top show.

Other music events not to be missed include the American virtuoso jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, The Divine Comedy, Teenage Fanclub, Michael McGoldrick's Big Band, the Alan Kelly Quartet with Eddie Reader, all in performance at the new Radisson Live Lounge. The Endellion String Quartet, the ConTempo Quartet with renowned Israeli percussionist Chen Zimbalista, and Kevin Doherty all take to the stage in the ambient surrounding of sublime 13th century St.Nicholas' Church for unique Festival performances.

An expanded Festival programme in Co. Galway includes the Irish Chamber Orchestra in concert at St. Mary's Cathedral in Tuam, in partnership with Classical Links, while live at the legendary Campbell's Tavern in Cloughanover are performances by Ari Hest and Yurodny. Meanwhile Roisin Dubh will host an amazing assortment of musical talent including Adrian Crowley, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Fred, Breakestra with Chali 2NA, O Emperor, Angus & Julia Stone and a series of traditional lunchtime gigs featuring a host of leading Irish musicians including new rising star Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh.

Amongst the very best of Irish and international comics showcasing new work and ideas are performances from New York sensation Reggie Watts, Reginald D Hunter, Danny Bhoy, Whose Line is it Anyway? with Phill Jupitus and Josie Lawrence, Après Match and the daily lunchtime madness that is Laughter Loft with Gerry Mallon.

Galway Arts Festival's ABSOLUT Visual Arts Programme features a spectacular exhibition Drawing with Scissors from the renowned Henri Matisse, one of the 20th century's greatest artists; a new commission by Alice Maher Godchildren of Enantios co-presented with Galway Arts Centre, and the Irish premier of I'm Here a new film by Spike Jonze the latest commission and collaboration from ABSOLUT. Festival 2010 sees the introduction of a spectacular new temporary gallery, the Festival Fairgreen Gallery, which becomes home to one of two Brian Bourke exhibitions Polyptych, while Bill Viola, one of the worlds' leading artists also shows at the Fairgreen Festival Gallery with Angel's Gate and Sodium Vapour as does Galway artist and printmaker Lynne O'Loughlin with Virtual Eden. Other exhibitions include Brian Bourke's Master Drawings at the Norman Villa Gallery; group shows by Galway's Engage Studios at the White Room Gallery; the Graphic Print Studios Gold at University College Hospital, and a major exhibition of contemporary Irish sculpture, Seoda 2010, at the Kenny Gallery, Liosban and outdoors on the banks of the River Corrib in Galway City centre.

Galway Arts Festival 2010 presents a constellation of inspirational, eclectic and provocative events placing Galway on the world map as the cultural hub this July.

BOX OFFICE AND FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS
www.galwayartsfestival.com

FURTHER PRESS DETAILS
GALWAY ARTS FESTIVAL COMMUNICATIONS

Gwen O'Sullivan

+353876601592

pressoffice@galwayartsfestival.com 

Kathy Scott

+353863593553
katscottpr@gmail.com