An arts festival beyond imagination

IMAGINATIONS are running wild in Waterford ahead of the kick-off of an ambitious arts festival that will see more than 100 acts perform in the city.

The Imagine Waterford Arts Festival begins on Friday and runs for 10 days, offering an ambitious programme of events in seven thematic areas, including music, comedy, storytelling, dance, theatre and film.

Having secured funding from the Arts Council for the first time, organisers hope the festival will establish itself as a worthy winter attraction for visitors to the south-east.

The extensive and original programme will bring to life the theatres, bars and music halls of the city for an indoor festival with something for all tastes.

“It’s very much a community, low-budget festival,” artistic director Ollie Breslin said.

“The beauty about being at the bottom is that you’re very much dependent on the co-operation of everyone in Waterford, which has been fantastic,” he said.

Highlights include a visual arts trail through the city’s cobbled streets, a screening of 12 Angry Men in the courthouse, concert pianists from Hong Kong, contemporary ballet from Wales, music varying from classical to hip hop as well as a unique storytelling event in Garter Lane Arts Theatre.

The work of detective writer Raymond Chandler will be brought to life through a specially-commissioned film, Nun More Deadly, which will be screened in St Patrick’s Church on Saturday, October 23.

The project came about when it was discovered that crime writer Raymond Chandler had a close connection with Waterford. The creator of hardboiled detective Philip Marlowe spent his childhood summers in the city during the 1890s.

“We hit upon the idea of using a scenario Chandler had for a detective book he didn’t get to write before he sadly died,” said David O’Sullivan, film worker with WYD-Eye Film Unit.

The programme also offers tailor-made events for children and families, including the Irish premiere on Monday night of the Cirkus Inferno Daredevil Opera Company, a comedy performance with a difference at the Theatre Royal.

“We’re trying to cater for all different tastes and that’s difficult on a limited budget,” Mr Breslin said. “The broader you make it then the more people who’ll come along, so it’s more of a hotchpotch, with something to please everybody,” he said.

The Imagine festival information office will open on Friday in the city’s Georges Court centre. Details on how to book for individual events, as well as a full programme, can be accessed online at: www.waterfordartsfestival.com