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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