Isle of Man Arts Council is proud to be sponsoring and launching Theatre Fest ’15, an initiative to celebrate and produce new work for the theatre.

Theatre Fest ’15 is being brought to the Isle of Man by the National Operatic and Drama Association (NODA) with Stage Door Entertainment and will culminate with a two-day festival in October.

It will be launched with an information evening on Wednesday, May 27th at the Villa Marina Arcade from 5.30pm-7.00pm, when NODA Chief Executive Tony Gibbs and Isle of Man Arts Council Vice Chairman Michael Lees will give presentations and answer questions about the festival.

Mr Gibbs said: ‘NODA is proud and excited to be working with the Isle of Man Arts Council on Theatre Fest ’15. We have chosen the Island, and the Gaiety Theatre, for the launch of this festival of new work because of its rich cultural heritage and as a legacy of Island of Culture 2014.’

Theatre Fest 15 will include a world premiere of a professional production by West End composer Stuart Brayson, a play with music by a California based composer, a devised theatre piece which will be produced by Stage Door Entertainment , and puppetry workshops for schools. A further centrepiece of Theatre Fest 15 will be the launch of an initiative to encourage new writing for the theatre.

Mr Lees said: ‘We are honoured that NODA has chosen the Isle of Man to launch what promises to be an exciting new festival, and one which I’m sure will become an established date in the theatre calendar over the next few years. This is further evidence of the arts and cultural legacy that we wanted to create through Island of Culture celebrations last year.’

As part of the festival Stage Door Entertainment will be casting local actors to take part in a devised performance. These actors will be given the opportunity to work with renowned Director and Theatre practitioner, Bev Clark (GoDA) on an improvised production which will be performed during the festival. Anyone wishing to register an interest in this project are asked to attend the launch and/or email stagedoorentsiom@gmail.com. 

For further information about Theatre Fest ’15, please call the Arts Council on 01624 694598 or email iomartscouncil@gov.im.