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NEWS
“The Box”
In association with the Arts Council, Spraoi is currently producing
and rehearsing a new show, “The Box”, with the aim of touring it to
other Irish festivals throughout the summer, and perhaps
internationally next year. It’s a zany and hilarious piece of
physical street theatre, full of surprises. Is it a show? Is it an
installation? Whatever it is, it’s sure to provoke curiosity,
conversation and hilarity from the audience. The show is being
directed by Dermot Quinn and designed by Mike Leahy, Spraoi’s two
Artistic Directors. Jamie Beamish has composed the original sound
track.
‘The Box’ receives its first preview in Dungarvan on May 17th, in
association with the Waterford County Arts Office and will also be
appearing on the streets of Dublin in June. Waterford city audiences
can look forward to seeing it at the Spraoi Festival in August ‘08.
CITY COUNCIL INVESTS IN SPRAOI
Waterford City Council has re-stated its commitment to arts
infrastructure in the city by committing €200,000 to the further
development of Spraoi’s Studios at Carrickpherish. The capital
investment follows substantial capital investment by the Council in
other arts buildings in Waterford. “The Council recognises that arts
organisations face substantial challenges in securing funding to run
their activities. However, if the Council can assist in providing
premises that serve the city well it will endeavour to do so,” said
a spokesman for Waterford City Council. “The Council also took into
account the strategic importance of Spraoi’s location at
Carrickpherish. The Spraoi Studios will provide an arts presence in
a new community along with other necessary facilities being provided
in the new city suburb, including public, private and affordable
housing projects.”
“We are extremely grateful for the foresight of Waterford City
Council,” said Spraoi Chairman, Jamie Dower. “This investment will
consolidate Spraoi’s work. While our ongoing fundraising is
necessary and will continue, this investment will secure a valuable
arts building for the city into the future.”
Volunteer Open Day
Spraoi will hold it’s popular Volunteer Open Day this year on
Saturday, June 7th, at Garter Lane Arts Centre, O’Connell St.
(beside Delaney’s Florist) from 1 to 4pm. Feel free to drop in and
find out more about what’s happening at this year’s festival, and
sign up for Spraoi ’08. Don’t forget to bring a friend!
Spraoi 2008: August 1st, 2nd and 3rd
The Spraoi Festival was recently placed among the top 5 festivals in
Ireland by the Irish Independent and plans are well advanced for
this years event on August 1st, 2nd and 3rd - it’s shaping up to be
one of the best ever. See the Festival pages on this website for the
first news of who and what is coming to Spraoi 2008.
Dublin Docklands Maritime Festival 2008
Spraoi has been commissioned to programme and produce the street
entertainment element of this festival on the June Bank Holiday
weekend in Dublin, May 31st and June 1st and 2nd. The three day
festival programme is expanded this year to include a street theatre
area, as well as lots of Promenade Performances and Acoustic and
Main Stages. There’s also a special Children’s Area. Full details on
www.dublindocklands.ie/maritimefestival
Perspectives 2008
Following on from the success of Perspectives 07, run in partnership
with W.I.T., the Arts Council have confirmed their support for the
masterclasses to take place again in 2008. Provisional dates are
Nov. 24th, 26th and 26th. Further details will be available soon.
St. Patricks Day, 2008
Another successful St. Patricks Day for the company saw three teams
take to the road and present and perform in three parades; Dublin,
Cork and Waterford. “People Power” in Dublin featured a giant size
Robot and his army of technicians, desperate to generate power in
any form in order to bring the monster to life. In Cork the company
teamed up with Cork based dance group No Frontiers, while in
Waterford a cast and crew of 30 presented their spectacle in
association with Waterford City Council.
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“The
Box”

“The
Seagulls, who will be appearing at Dublin Docklands Maritime
Festival”

“People Power: Dublin, St. Patricks Day 2008”


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