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. Here’s 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, there’s 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 β€˜The Fringe’, this has become theΒ world’s 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! β€˜The Fringe’ is a one-of-a-kindΒ β€˜unjuried festival’ – 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 Asia’s 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 aren’t any language barriers to hinder the interest in a performance.

4.Β Dublin Theatre Festival

Where: Dublin, Ireland

When: September – October

Founded way back inΒ 1957, it isΒ Europe’s 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 – 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 – 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.

 

Here’s a glimpse of the rich culture and talent exhibited at the festivals:

Edinburgh Festival

 

That’s So New York: The New York Musical Theatre Festival