THERE WAS a lively turn out at Galway City Museum’s The Kitchen Café on Monday evening for the programme launch of the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, which takes place from October 16 to 22.
Artists and companies from Denmark, Mexico, Argentina, USA, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, France, England, and Norway will join forces with artists from Ireland in a rich programme packed with theatre, dance, music, visual arts and literature.
Baboró is inviting audiences to explore our world and how we each find our own place in it. Commenting on the programme, executive artistic director, Aislinn Ó hEocha said: “We’re delighted to share our 2017 programme with children, families, and schools and we invite you all to join us for the 21st Baboró festival. As Galway starts its build-up to European Capital of Culture 2020, we’re excited to welcome artists from Ireland and all over the world to Galway this October. We’re very grateful for the support of our main funders The Arts Council, Galway city and county councils, and The American Ireland Fund. We’d also like to thank our many sponsors including KBC and Medtronic, and the Galway business community, for their generous support year on year. See you all in October!”
The programme was officially launched by Chris Baldwin, creative director of Galway 2020, who observed “I started my career in children’s theatre over 30 years ago and if you want to see the most progressive, most inspirational, most innovative work go to children’s theatre and children’s arts because you will see what’s emerging there being incorporated by theatre at all other levels 15 or 20 years later.”
Among the Baboró highlights are The Peter Pan Experience from Het Laagland in the Netherlands, a quirky, high-energy, show about rediscovering the joys of play; Bounce, from Arcosm in France, is a sensitive and funny dance show featuring live music with plenty of climbing, playing, dancing and singing; and Wot? No Fish!! from England’s Danny Braverman tells the wonderful true story of Braverman’s Great Uncle Ab and Great Aunt Celie raising their family in 20th century London.
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We Come From Far, Far Away from New International Encounter in the UK and Norway tells the story of Abdullah from Syria who has travelled a long way, mostly on this own. Performed in a small tent this is a big story told in a beautifully intimate way Irish work includes The Abbey Theatre’s Me, Sara, based on Synge’s Playboy; Theatre Lovett present They Called Her Vivaldi, an upbeat comedy-adventure about a sensitive musical-prodigy; Fidget Feet presents Strange Feathers mixing aerial dance and live music, and Monkeyshine’s The Magic Bookshop features a treasure trove of wonders where old books flock together and their stories hop from the pages.
Something for all the family is Catching Waves, a vibrant performance from new west of Ireland youth orchestra Sym-Phonic Waves and dancers from Youth Ballet West. Other international work includes Denmark’s Theatre Madam Bach; Mexican/Argentinian Teatro al Vacio, Grammy-winning singer Tom Chapin, and Germany’s Thalias Kompagnons.
The programme also boasts a full array of readings, exhibitions and workshops, and events for grown ups as well as the little ‘uns. Tickets and programme details are available from www.baboro.ie
