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Welcome to a special edition of the Culture NI newsletter celebrating Arts Over Borders, a new initiative which in its first year brings about the return of the Brian Friel International Festival from August 24-28 across Derry~Londonderry and Donegal, followed by Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival the weekend of September 1-3. Below you will find a full guide to the wealth of special events taking place as part of both plus the chance win a pair of festival passes.
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Symbolising Greek culture, a specially-commissioned giant wooden horse dominates Derry's Guildhall Square with surrounding events.
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A promenade reading of what many consider to be Friel's greatest work, across an area where he spent his boyhood summers and is now at rest.
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The Odyssey by Homer
(Photo: 'Wreck' by Fidelis)
Adrian Dunbar replants the Greek epic from Europe's easternmost coastline to Donegal's dramatic beaches, with excerpts recited by actor Niall Cusack accompanied by music and food.
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Thursday, August 24
Friday, August 25
Saturday, August 26
Sunday, August 27
Monday, August 28
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Site-specific rehearsed readings of Friel's Ireland-England play, examining the writing and rewriting of history through the figure of an individual.
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Produced by Kabosh Theatre, Friel's imaginative account of the voluntary exile of Columba is brought to life in a 10 actor performative reading.
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Making History: An Introduction
Saturday, August 26 - The Guildhall, Derry
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Dr Malachy Ó Néill gives a special festival talk exploring the history and context of Making History at the place it first premiered in 1988.
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War Music – A Version of the Iliad by Christopher Logue
Conall Morrison directs readings from the extraordinary, contemporary version of Homer's Iliad at several venues within and outside the Derry walls, providing a perfect setting for the epic Siege of Troy.
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Thursday, August 24
Friday, August 25
Saturday, August 26
Sunday, August 27
Monday, August 28
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A site-specific presentation of Beckett's one-act play dedicated to the Czech playwright, Valclav Havel, imprisoned leader of the Velvet Revolution and later President of Czechoslovakia. Directed by Adrian Dunbar and featuring Frank McCusker and Orla Charlton.
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The Singular Sing – Song Singers
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
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A 90 minute workshop with opera singer Ruby Philogene where Beckett was once a pupil and formed the Singular Sing – Song Singers.
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Ohio Impromptu by Samuel Beckett
Thursday, August 29 - Sunday, September 3
Adrian Dunbar presents sunset performances of his Beckett production on Devenish Island, a monastic site founded in the sixth century, a short boat ride away from Enniskillen on Lough Erne.
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From An Abandoned Work
Saturday, September 2 & Sunday, September 3
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Brand new to the festival, director Netia Jones presents a site-specific reading of Beckett's 'mediation for radio', first broadcast by the BBC and performed by Patrick Magee in 1957.
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