Politics, pop culture and tragedy feature in the 20th anniversary Edinburgh Showcase, the British Council's biennial platform of contemporary UK performance alongside the Edinburgh Festivals on 21-26 August.
It's the single biggest opportunity for UK theatre and dance companies to introduce their work to international promoters and the 2017 programme throws a fascinating spotlight on what's on the minds of UK artists today.
For the first time, the Showcase includes performances that are part of the Edinburgh International Festival. Playwright Zinnie Harris reimagines Greek tragedy with the dark story of a dysfunctional family in Oresteia: This Restless House for Citizens Theatre, while Forced Entertainment presents Real Magic, a chaotic cabaret act-slash-magic show about struggle, optimism and the desire for change.
“It’s wonderful to see so many artists – more than 50% of the programme – taking part in the Showcase for the first time,” says Neil Webb, Director Theatre and Dance at the British Council.
Full Programme
Action Hero: Slap Talk
Avant Garde Dance presented by The Place: Fagin's Twist
Citizens Theatre: This Restless House by Zinnie Harris
Forced Entertainment: Real Magic
Frozen Light: Home
Imitating the Dog: Nocturnes
Impermanence Dance Theatre: Sexbox
Joan Clevillé Dance: Plan B for Utopia
Julie Cunningham and Company: To Be Me
Kieran Hurley with Show and Tell: Heads Up
Kneehigh: The Flying Locers of Vitebsk by Daniel Jamieson
Light Ladd and Emberton: Caitlin
Liz Aggiss: Slap and Tickle
Liz Carr: Assisted Suicide: The Musical
Look Left Look Right: See Me Now
National Dance Company Wales: Folk and Profundis (double bill)
The Paper Cinema and Battersea Arts Centre co-production: The Paper Cinema's Macbeth
Prime Cut Productions: Scorch by Stacey Gregg
Proto-type Theater: A Machine they're Secretly Building
Rachel Mars: Our Carnal Hearts
RashDash: Two Man Show
Rhum and Clay and Kit Redstone: Testosterone
Scottish Dance Theatre: Process Day
Selina Thompson: Salt
DryWrite and Soho Theatre present: Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Talawa, HighTide and Soho Theatre production: Girls by Theresa Ikoko
Theatre Re: The Nature of Forgetting
Touretteshero and Battersea Arts Centre co-production: Not I by Samuel Beckett
Traverse Theatre: The Whip Hand by Douglas Maxwell
Volcano Theatre Company: Seagulls