
The reviews are in! Over the past two weeks, critics have hailed Galway International Arts Festival 2016 theatre shows, with international publications heaping praise on the Festival’s co-productions, along with work by theatre producers from home and abroad.
GIAF theatre shows: world premieres and co-productions
Enda Walsh’s latest work ‘Arlington’ was hailed by the critics as “a new form of comprehensive, category-defying theatre” (The Guardian), “a tremendous exploration of the transcending of circumstance” (The Stage) and “a seriously impressive and intelligent piece of theatre" (Sunday Independent). ‘Arlington’ stars Charlie Murphy (Love/Hate) and Hugh O Conor (Lamb), and fuses both drama and dance, a new element for Walsh. ‘Arlington’ will tour to the US at the prestigious St. Ann’s Warehouse in May 2017.
‘Invitation to a Journey Inspired by Eileen Gray’
“Passionate, brilliant, visually stunning while always pushing the boundaries of the possible. A must see” (The Arts Review); “striking... filled with imaginative insights” (The Guardian); “extraordinarily stylish” (Sunday Independent) - ‘Invitation to a Journey Inspired by Eileen Gray’ was highly praised by critics. This Galway International Arts Festival co-production with Fishamble: the new play company, CoisCéim Dance Theatre and Crash Ensemble is a groundbreaking new work exploring the life of one of the most influential 20th century designers and architects, Eileen Gray, through a combination of dance, music and theatre.
‘Death at Intervals’
“Olwen Fouéré seems made for the role of Death”, commented the Irish Independent; “a menacing presence sweetly seeking to impress...a heartening display, a fresh realisation of femininity as Death stands by, listening to a song just for her” wrote Exuent Magazine on Fouéré’s performance. ‘Death At Intervals’ is inspired by Nobel Prize winner José Saramago’s darkly humorous novel ‘As Intermitências da Morte’, and adapted by Kellie Hughes in collaboration with theatre artist Olwen Fouéré taking on the rule of Death.
'Waiting for Godot'
“The best production for 25 years…exceptional and miraculous”, declared the Irish Times in its 5-star review. “Hynes mines the comedy expertly throughout, but she doesn’t shirk from the play’s grimness or its abstraction” observed the Irish Examiner, while The Stage wrote, it was “a sombre and revolutionary staging that brings something fresh to Beckett’s play.” Druid Theatre’s new twist on Beckett’s seminal work, directed by Garry Hynes, was a hit with critics.
Irish premieres
Other theatre shows making their Irish debuts were equally lauded, with Scottish smash hit 'Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour' praised as “an impeccably considered display of bad behaviour” (Irish Times). The Ivo van Hove directed 'Song From Far Away' was admired as a production that “comes together wonderfully, creeping up on you in a slow, measured way, before walloping you in the gut” (Irish Examiner).
Read more about this year’s productions and see the audience reactions on our blog.