This year’s Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (24 June – 2 July) broke all previous records with over 200 performances from 46 companies taking place over a nine day period. Events across Greenwich, Woolwich, Mile End and Canary Wharf were attended by more than 75,000 people, here is just a sampling of some of the enthusiastic comments:
“Spectacular. Unlike anything I have ever seen and
completely amazed that it was FREE!!”
“Wow, it was stunning. Enjoyed every second –
great performance, movement, storyline.”
“An absolutely fantastic festival… the disability access was first class (thank you), best I’ve ever seen and so many integrated performances too.”
Opening Night Spectacle at Greenwich Docklands International Festival
GRAVITY
OPENING NIGHT SPECTACLE AND FIREWORKS
Presented in association with Greenwich Dance
Thursday 24 June, 10pm (Gates open 9.30pm) FREE
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
This dance extravaganza will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief as Catalan choreographer Toni Mira creates gravity-defying magic in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum.
For one night only, Greenwich’s iconic Queen’s House will be transformed into a giant play house for 10 local dancers, accompanied by original music from composer Jules Maxwell, exquisite imagery from film maker Roswitha Chesher and fireworks. Previously only seen in Spain, Toni Mira’s innovative concept receives its UK premiere at GDIF, in a brand new production created specially for the Festival’s opening night.
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on January 9th, 2010.
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The London Festival of Theatre takes place in July each year, so if the London Festival Fringe idea goes ahead for August, then there will have to be some accommodation with the dates I would have thought.
LIFT, the London international Festival of Theatre, is one of Europe’s most adventurous and influential producers of international contemporary theatre, creating extraordinary festivals and programmes of work that transform London into a stage and inspire everyone to participate in the stories of the world.
LIFT’s rich and varied programming of international work in London has had a major influence on the development of British theatre – challenging its conventions, introducing new forms of theatrical expression and bringing fresh perspectives on audience, communities and spaces throughout the city. In anticipating our future we are excited to take LIFT’s legacy forward, connecting the world’s boldest and brightest theatre makers with the people of one of the world’s great capital cities.
The Greenwich and Docklands London Festival (Greenwich+Docklands International Festival) takes place each summer in the two locations. Last year, 2009 it was from June 24th to the fourth of July.
Docklands London Festival
Looking ahead to 2010, plans are now being developed for exciting new commissions, breathtaking London premieres from international companies and a host of spectacular treats for GDIF’s growing and enthusiastic audiences. Following the 2009 Festival’s focus on the theme of Water, next year our featured element will be Earth, with events and performances exploring the environment, together with Greenwich and East London’s global connections. The full programme will be announced in April 2010.
Major London Arts Festival coming in 2010
More than 13 West End theatres – some big, some small – are meeting today (Tuesday 24 November) to discuss taking part in London’s first city-wide fringe arts festival. The London Festival Fringe is set to explode onto the capital’s cultural scene from 6 – 30 August 2010.
Representatives from the venues will meet with the organisers to discuss taking part in the Festival, a month-long event that will celebrate fringe performing arts. The Festival will showcase a wide range of fringe arts from all over the world; from music, theatre and film, to comedy, poetry and more. In an exciting addition to London’s summer events programme, the Festival will bring together a host of performances to captivate, entertain and maybe even surprise festival-goers.
London Fringe Club
The London Fringe Club gives artists and performers the opportunity to get involved with the Festival right now. It has been organised to offer a social networking forum where people can meet with one another and discuss ideas to make their show or event happen. It is open to all, free, and no membership is required. All are welcome and details of forthcoming events are available at www.londonfestivalfringe.com
Director Greg Tallent said, “London is the world’s greatest art centre, drawing performers from around the globe. We want to bring together fringe artists to give audiences innovative acts in one place at one time – in every sphere, from comedy and drama to music, film and street theatre.
“In July 2009 we organised the London Bridge Festival, which was a great success. It’s now time to bring together London’s fringe scene and give it the international recognition it deserves.”
The London Festival Fringe is being held in August to offer art and entertainment to Londoners and the large number of tourists who visit the city in the summer. In particular, London Festival Fringe allows artists and promoters living and working in London to put on shows and events to audiences on their doorsteps, at a price they can afford without earnings being eaten up by travel and accommodation costs.
