A world of imagination and wonder will be opened up to Galway children though theatre, dance, literature, and a host of fun events during next month’s Baboró International Arts Festival For Children.
The festival, which is now in its 15th year, runs from October 16 to 23. This year’s theme is ‘illumination’ with the festival programme presenting work of artists and companies who have woven light and shadow into their work.
The festival starts on Sunday October 16 and will see the streets of Galway come alive with Priceless, an outdoor installation along Quay Street presented by Germany’s Das Papiertheater. For this families will be invited to express themselves in a creative and fun way by responding to the question ‘What is priceless to you?’
Das Papiertheater will also perform dance and shadow show I Spy With My Little Eye, a collaboration with Tanztheater DE LooPERS for ages six and over, both in Galway city and at The Mall Theatre in Tuam.
Other highlights include Clouds from Aracaladanza and Sadler’s Wells. This family show, inspired by the work of surrealist artist René Magritte, features six dancers and creates a mesmerising world of moving objects and dream-like imagery using the theme of clouds.
Renowned percussionists Robbie Harris and Dave McFarlane will present Globe, a celebration of the rhythms that are universal to music, dance, and singing in every culture. It will feature Congolese guitar and vocals, Irish fiddle and bodhrán, Taiko drumming, Brazilian capoeira, and South African Gospel.
Galwegians aged 10 to 14 can look forward to White Cap, a jaw dropping fusion of film and B-boy and breakdance like you have never seen before, accompanied by a unique soundtrack by Type Sun.
Those from nought to six years are well catered for with no fewer than 10 productions. Italy’s La Baracca from Italy will stage three productions; On – Off, a show created to help young children overcome their fear of the dark; L’elefantino, inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s The Elephant’s Child; and Under A Different Light, a magical performance of dance and music. For babies and toddlers there is Acting Up! which features interactive song and dance.
Other theatre and performance includes Horse + Bamboo’s reimagining of Red Riding Hood through mask and shadow box theatre, while Branar Téatar Do Pháistí will present Clann Lir, their unique take on the Irish folk story ‘The Children of Lir’.
The award-winning author Melvin Burgess, described as the “godfather of Young Adult fiction in Britain”, will read at Baboró. His book Junk has become one of the best-known young adult books of the decade.
He will present a writing workshop at Jigsaw for young adults aged 17 and over, and discuss his approach to writing with Orla Higgins and other local writers.
Baboró is also offering secondary schools in the area the opportunity to make the case for a free visit by Melvin Burgess to their school, to engage with young adults interested in writing.
Malachy Doyle, the author of many popular picture books including the critically-acclaimed Georgie and Who is Jesse Flood? will also read at the festival, as will Galway authors Patricia Forde and Ailbhe Nic Giolla Bhrighde.
In addition, Baboró will also hold exhibitions and workshops and its Talking About…. Series, which this year focuses on Irish companies Branar Téatar do Pháistí and Monkeyshine Theatre. The Spotlight On…. Series continues as well with the focus on the work American companies put on for children and families.
The 2011 programme can be downloaded at www.baboro.ie and tickets to all shows are on sale from the Town Hall Theatre on 091 - 569777 and www.tht.ie, as well as from www.baboro.ie
