IRIS THEATRE announces programming for outdoor Summer Festival 2021

Iris Theatre have today announced the full programme for their outdoor Summer Festival 2021, to be held in the courtyard of the Actor’s Church in Covent Garden from 21 June-22 August 2021.

The festival includes the world première production of Arthur/Merlin, a reimagining of the Arthurian legend featuring spoken word and original songs written by previous PLATFORM artist, Reuben Johnson, and directed by the company’s Artistic Director, Paul-Ryan Carberry.

The festival will also feature five pieces from the company’s Seed Commission Scheme for 2021, an initiative opened for applications from early-career artists or companies in Spring this year. The selected artists/companies are: Flux Theatre with Danielle Pearson’s Queen Mab in a co-production with Arsalan Sattari Productions; Tom Ryalls presents Can You See Into A Black Hole?, directed by Deidre McLaughlin; FAIR PLAY. present Shoes to Fill by Tanya Bridgeman, directed by Alex Miller; Zoe Woodruff and Kathryn Tindall present new musical The Red Side of The Moon and Tiny T’s Storytelling & Theatre present Spectacular! a new show for children.

Each recipient receives £1000, as well as technical, marketing and creative support from Iris Theatre to develop and present their work as part of the Summer Festival. Each artist receives 50% of their production’s box office revenue. 

There will also be a series of one-off work in progress shows from a number of artists, entitled Eyes On, plus Shakespeare Sunday’s will present new pieces inspired by the bard and his work on selected Sundays during the summer.

Artistic Director Paul-Ryan Carberry and Executive Director of Iris Theatre, Charlotte Lund, said: “We're thrilled to be launching our Summer Season today alongside these five incredible companies. Make no bones about it, this festival is an unabashed celebration of theatre, a championing of early-career artists and of their exceptional work. Iris has long been renowned for innovative, bold and site-specific outdoor work and we can’t wait to welcome audiences back to our garden once again this summer. With our new retelling of one of the greatest adventures ever told; Arthur/Merlin, and loads of incredible new work from a generation of new voices, there is, as always, something for everyone. Come down...you’re all welcome...and we’ll see you in the garden!”

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