Fringe theatre is not usually known for its minimalism, but this year the Dublin Fringe Festival is going for a philosophy of "less is more". Even the festival's letterhead is missing most of its vowels and promotes itself as the Dubln Frnge Fstvl (sic).
Speaking at the programme presentation in the Trocadero Restaurant yesterday evening, the festival director, Ms Ali Curran, said: "Cutting back on shows this year was a definite policy decision. We wanted to offer audiences the best of cutting edge international theatre as well as providing a platform for new Irish work. Last year's festival was hugely popular and had a growth in attendance, but it was a little top heavy with 104 shows. We wanted to consolidate that success, so this year we have just over 60 great shows."
There is quite enough to look forward to in this year's festival, which runs from September 28th to October 17th. Shows coming here after a successful run in New York include Danny Hoch's one-man show Jails, Hospitals and Hip Hop, which won an Obie award for off Broadway theatre. Another Obie award-winner is the physical theatre company SITI's production of BOB which is coming fresh from a run at the New York Theatre Workshop.
As usual there will be a number of premieres at the festival. Arthur Miller's play I Can't Remember Anything will receive its first Irish viewing with the Dublin-based Black Box Theatre Company at the helm. This company is also presenting Jimmy Murphy's new play Aceldama. Cork-based Meridian Theatre Company is offering Johnny Hanrahan's play Craving, which should not be confused with Crave, a production by the English company, Paines Plough.
Dance is particularly strong in this year's programme. The acclaimed international choreographer, Yun Chane, is coming to Ireland for the first time and bringing her company to perform Couleurs De Femmes at the Project @ the Mint. Daghdha Dance Company will be showing a new work by Mary Nunan, Cimera, and the Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre will perform two new pieces by Michael Keegan Dolan.
For sheer quirkiness, a few companies stand out. The Corn Exchange will be creating a show called Car Show in Temple Bar's Meeting House Square. There will be three cars, three separate miniplays and the audience is invited to climb into the back seats and listen. Theatre will be invading Collins Barracks for the first time when the Vesuvius Theatre Company creates an Italian-style amphitheatre to show its production, Fontamara. Finally, there is Kaos Theatre UK's show The Kaos Master and Margarita which offers, well, sheer kaos.