24 Jul 2024
Creative New Zealand’s International Development Market Fund is supporting seven practitioners to attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of the NZ x Edinburgh Exchange programme this August.
The programme, supported by the British Council Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific and Summerhall, will connect NZ artists with UK companies and peers, and lay a foundation for future presentations at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Lead International Advisor, Felix Preval, says showing New Zealand artists the ropes at Edinburgh is essential for building future success.
“Edinburgh has been the launching pad for many NZ artists’ international careers – but it’s also hugely risky – coming for the first time as part of a delegation softens the landing and helps build shared networks.” he says.
British Council New Zealand and Pacific Director, Natasha Beckman, says there’s been demonstrable impact following on from last year’s exchange activities in Edinburgh.
“In 2023 the British Council supported 17 New Zealanders to experience Edinburgh, and it’s wonderful to see so many of them returning to present work in this year’s Festivals – not just in the Fringe, but the Art Festival too. We hope festival audiences will embrace the opportunity to connect with New Zealand arts and culture in Edinburgh and this will continue to spark creative collaborations and shared artistic experiences between our two cultures.” she says.
In addition to the exchange programme, four leading NZ theatre companies are being supported by CNZ and the British Council New Zealand and Pacific this August. The New Zealand Showcase @ Summerhall will offer a snapshot of the work making waves in Aotearoa at one of the city’s most exciting festival hubs – Summerhall.
Java Dance Theatre will their present dance-theatre show Anatomy for Accountants; Trick of the Light bring two shows: The Bookbinder and Suitcase Show; EBKM present Heartbreak Hotel, exploring the anatomical effects of heartbreak, and Binge Culture present interactive comedy-horror Werewolf.
“There’s no international market platform quite like the Edinburgh Fringe for getting your work seen by the world. We’re thrilled to be supporting another rōpū of outstanding artists as they map out their future ambitions for the world stage,” says Felix.
As well as these four productions, many well-known New Zealand performers will be returning to Edinburgh, including award winning comedians Rose Matafeo and Trygve Wakenshaw who make long awaited returns to the Fringe, alongside TV regulars Paul Williams, Alice Sneddon, Ray O’Leary, James Nokise, plus NZ’s hottest circus-comedy trio, Lazer Kiwi and real-life-musical-comedy-couple, Two Hearts and more.
Read the recipients of the International Market Development Fund: International Market Development Fund for Performing Arts 2024 | Creative New Zealand (creativenz.govt.nz)
About the British Council, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific:
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. The British Council supports peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide through its work in arts and culture, education and the English language.
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