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. New York Musical Theatre Festival
Where: New York City
When: Fall
This relatively new theatre festival which is held over three weeks each year in the Big Apple 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 renowned personalities from Broadway. NYMF also exhibits a 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. Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
When: August
Also known as ‘The Fringe’, this has become the 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! ‘The Fringe’ is a one-of-a-kind ‘unjuried festival’ – which means there is no selection committee, allowing any type of performance to participate.
3. Bharat Rang Mahotsav
Where: New Delhi
When: January
Inaugurated in 1999, this is also known as the National Theatre Festival and has become one of Asia’s biggest theatre festivals. It showcases over 90 productions 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 the National School of Drama (NSD) 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. Dublin Theatre Festival
Where: Dublin, Ireland
When: September – October
Founded way back in 1957, it is 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 provides workshops conducted by experts, panel discussions and film screenings. Over 500 performances are held across 25 venues in the city.
5. Shaw Festival
Where: Ontario, Canada
When: April – October
This major Canadian theatre festival takes place in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake located in Southern Ontario. Founded in 1962, its chief purpose was to stimulate interest in George Bernard Shaw and his era (1856 – 1950), apart from advancing the development of theatre arts in Canada. During its inaugural season in 1973, the performances were attended by Queen Elizabeth II and Indira Gandhi 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