The Sherp has compiled a list of the prominent international theatre festivals that showcase the best talent from around the world.
Theatre has an uncanny way of transferring you to a different world with its elaborate costumes, intriguing soliloquies and a dynamic group with a burning desire to perform. Hereβs a list of theatre festivals every drama-junkie must visit from New York to India!
1.Β New York Musical Theatre Festival
Where: New York City
When: Fall
This relatively new theatre festival which is held overΒ three weeksΒ each year in the Big AppleΒ began in 2004. Showcasing more than 30 new musicals across venues in New York to over 30,000 visitors, this festival also hosts concerts and special events featuring renownedΒ personalities from Broadway. NYMF also exhibits aΒ Dance Series, exalting the fusion of musical theatre and dance. Apart from this, thereβs a wide range of readings, educational seminars, explorations of musicals in TV and film and unusual collaborations.
2.Β Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
When: August
Also known asΒ βThe Fringeβ, this has become theΒ worldβs largest arts festival. Established in 1947, it particularly showcases theatre and comedy, although dance, operas, music and exhibitions are also illustrated. For three weeks every August performers take to scores of stages all over the city put forward shows to cater to every taste. 2012 saw a total of 2695 shows from 47 countries in 279 venues! βThe Fringeβ is a one-of-a-kindΒ βunjuried festivalβΒ β which means there is no selection committee, allowing any type of performance to participate.
3.Β Bharat Rang Mahotsav
Where: New Delhi
When: January
Inaugurated inΒ 1999, this is also known as theΒ National Theatre FestivalΒ and has become one of Asiaβs biggest theatre festivals. It showcases overΒ 90 productionsΒ from India as well as the rest of the globe, making it a diverse and an unparalleled one. Since it is an annual festival of theΒ National School of Drama (NSD)Β in Delhi, it is held each year in and around the NSD campus. A wide array of languages, cultures, styles, thoughts and ideas are culminated into an exquisite representation of India and the world. Subtitles are provided to ensure there arenβt any language barriers to hinder the interest in a performance.
4.Β Dublin Theatre Festival
Where: Dublin, Ireland
When: September β October
Founded way back inΒ 1957, it isΒ Europeβs oldest specialized theatre festival. It was established to cultivate tolerance and foster cultural understanding between nations post World War II. Over the last fifty years, it has become a critical part of the Irish culture. The festival also providesΒ workshopsΒ conducted by experts,Β panel discussionsΒ andΒ film screenings. Over 500 performances are held across 25 venues in the city.
5.Β Shaw Festival
Where: Ontario, Canada
When: April β October
This major Canadian theatre festival takes place in the town ofΒ Niagara-on-the-LakeΒ located in Southern Ontario. Founded inΒ 1962, its chief purpose was to stimulate interest inΒ George Bernard ShawΒ and his era (1856 β 1950), apart from advancing the development of theatre arts in Canada. During its inaugural season in 1973, the performances wereΒ attended byΒ Queen Elizabeth II and Indira GandhiΒ among others. It is essentially a theatre company that provokes the mind and stirs the soul through a compelling theatre experience that draws artists, supporters and audiences year after year.
Hereβs a glimpse of the rich culture and talent exhibited at the festivals:
Edinburgh Festival
Thatβs So New York: The New York Musical Theatre Festival