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Press Release
Arts Council Fails again to support the Unique, Diverse, International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival.
The International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival is a unique cultural event attracting almost 100 submissions from around the world. Established to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Oscar Wilde, the Festival now in its fourth year, has been pushing out the boundaries of theatre in encouraging new writing and in presenting high standard national and international theatre never before seen in Ireland. Last year 20 Irish, European or world premieres were presented to a growing audience over 16 nights in the first full fortnight in May. This year, theatre practitioners and playwrights from around the world have applied to be included in the Fourth international festival. Companies and playwrights from Ireland, the US, UK, Channel Islands, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Canada, Iran and Australia have submitted works for consideration. Approximately 20 will succeed.
Brian Merriman, Artistic Director of the Festival commented: ‘Diversity and high standards have driven this event since its inception. Growing audiences and the support given by arts bodies in other countries have kept it going. Dublin City Council and Failte Ireland have recognised the significant contribution a ‘standards driven theatrical Festival of merit’ makes to the arts in a changing Ireland. The British Council has also generously supported the event’.
He continued ‘For the Third year running the Irish Arts Council, without giving any reason, has turned down our modest application for funding. As usual, though it involves tax payers money, no reason is given – in fact the letter of refusal is a ‘carbon copy’ of the one issued last year. Does anyone read new applications at all?’ he queried.
‘The Festival is inclusive, innovative and challenging. It attracts a growing and diverse audience – it is committed to encouraging and showcasing new writing for the theatre. It has been recognised at home and abroad for its artistic innovation and high standards. This year the festival will ‘feed’ the programme of a major Irish regional theatre and has also been invited to send a play to the Kiev International Arts festival in the Ukraine – the only country continuously refusing to support this initiative is Ireland...it begs the question what real meaning does the Arts Council give to its stated diversity policy?’ he said
Brian Merriman continued by saying ‘This event is run by professionals on a voluntary basis. It is sad that the Arts Council which produces plan after plan to bring innovation into the arts, can not support or see the value of a unique event that draws academics, playwrights and actors from around the world to participate in a dynamic artistic discourse and presentation. It is alarming that the reasons for the dispersal or non dispersal of taxpayers money remain a ‘secret’. The professional volunteers running this event are committed to year four and will present an exciting, diverse and unique programme of theatre in Dublin during the first full fortnight in May appealing to all audiences. Our work contributes to ensuring that innovation, creativity, diversity and new works will be presented to Irish audiences despite the fact that such ambition obviously does not ‘fit’ with the plans of the Irish Arts Council. In the meantime the support emanating from abroad will continue to encourage us… but it won’t pay our bills’ he concluded
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