The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (EICF) has launched its programme on World Theatre Day for Children and Young People with an exciting line up of 14 works from 9 different countries with children from Forthview Primary and Pilton Youth having been involved in programming some of the works featured at Family Encounters. Performances will offer a packed programme of circus, dance, storytelling and theatre for young people, their schools and families,
As the place for the celebration of quality theatre and dance for young audiences, EICF will once again push boundaries, exploring the highs and lows of the human condition, while always considering the perspective and viewpoint of the child.
Festival Director Noel Jordan said “I am delighted to be unveiling this year’s programme which once again pushes the boundaries of what’s expected of children’s theatre and dance. Themes of curiosity, connectedness and care for the environment abound, with characters learning to communicate across languages, cultures and borders to establish friendship and play. We also investigate what to do with our nightmares, our losses and witness the impact of racial discrimination. From babies to teenagers, there is something for everyone this year and I hope the Festival is full of special moments for children and their families.”
Highlights of the programme include sensory works for babies Univers and Be Kind, that is full of gentle interactions; By Trial and Error, where a couple of hapless acrobats entertain with their circus antics; TRASHedy takes a humorous looks at freedom of choice and our consumerist behaviour while An-Ki, is an immersive promenade experience performed in a tent exploring greed and deforestation, and Shō and the Demons of the Deep, is a tale of a river poisoned by nightmares which explores the impact one generation can have on the next. Black is an emotional dance performance chronicling the freedom movement and reflecting on the violence of being Black today.
All school pupils attending the show will take part in workshops exploring African urban dance styles and explore some of the themes of the show including racism and its relevance to Scotland. A regional focus on Catalonia gives us three productions representing the unique vision of artists from this region, as well as four new works and premieres from Scottish companies. A new Expo-funded commission, early years circus show So Far So Good by SUPERFAN, will be touring Scotland including in a number of small rural venues in Strathspey
EICF runs from 25th May – 2nd June 2024 with the accessible Free Family Encounters day at the National Museum of Scotland on the opening day.
Festival tickets are now on sale. For full programme and booking information, visit: http://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 