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.

“The Box”

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

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