Clowning around town to give Fringe a boost
A GIANT test tube filled with a man and a play by Patrick McCabe are among the highlights of the Dublin Fringe Festival.
The contemporary performing arts festival will play host to acts from 12 countries along with homegrown talent. Organisers promised that this year's festival, which takes place from September 6 - 21, will be brighter and bolder than ever.
Irish talent includes a new play of McCabe's critically acclaimed 'Breakfast on Pluto', while funnyman Tommy Tiernan directs two cousins in the show 'Help!'
One hotly tipped event is the 'Le Clique' show which combines cabaret, burlesque and circus. It was a sell-out last year and runs from September 5 - 21 at the Hennessy Spiegeltent, in Iveagh Gardens.
Two new short plays commissioned by The Abbey Theatre as part of their 20: Love season tackle the theme of love in modern Ireland (September 15 - 20).
Outdoor events include a flash mob opera performance of Mozart's 'Bastien and Bastienne' at St Patrick's Cathedral Park, and 'Nous Tube', which sees a man inside a giant cylinder of water. Music lovers can enjoy hip-hop beats from the Sugarhill Gang, who Kanye West and Jay-Z count as influences, as well as an evening with soul dance trio Fujiya and Miyagi, at the Hennessy Spiegeltent.
A special day of dance to celebrate the moving body takes place on September 7 in association with Dance Ireland. This event will feature new moves from Irish and international choreographers, dance films and improvisation.
Aspiring artists have the opportunity to see their creations being transferred from canvas to the street as urban artists rework their paintings at the Hive (September 12 - 14).
Robot talent show 'ArtBots' gives audiences the chance to meet robots and talk to their owners (September 19 - 21).
- Claudine Ledwidge-O'Reilly
