Arts Festival kicks off its 35th annual programme

By Judith Faherty

The 35th annual Galway Arts festival was officially opened last night at the Radisson Blu Hotel by two of America’s finest stage actors and television stars John Mahoney from Fraiser and Rondi Reed from the hit sitcom Mike and Molly.

Mahoney and Reed are both in Galway for the Festival where they perform in one of the festival highlights, the European premiere of ‘The Outgoing Tide’ by Bruce Graham which opens at the Town Hall Theatre tonight.

Mahoney, who is an Honorary Patron of the Festival, commented on his joy of returning to Galway for the Arts Festival. “Whenever I do a new play, I don't wish for a Broadway transfer, I wish for an invitation to take it to Galway Arts Festival. I have been fortunate to participate five times in the festival over the years, and the joy never palls.

Galway is such a beautiful city and to be there during the Arts Festival is sheer magic,” he said.

The 14 day Galway Arts Festival, which costs two million to stage each year, will include 160 performances, talks and exhibitions taking place in 27 venues over the two week festival period.

An array of guests enjoyed the opening ceremony, including Scottish artist David Mach, whose spectacular exhibition of ‘Precious Light’ was opened by playwright Julian Gough on Sunday at the Absolut Festival Gallery in the Galway Shopping Centre.

The exhibition, over three years in the making, explores the theme and legacy of the King James Bible just after its 400th anniversary.Last night the festival kicked off with the world premiere of Gough’s ‘The Great Goat Bubble’ at 8pm in the Druid Theatre, and will run for the duration of the festival at the venue.

French acrobatic stars Compagnie IETO from France, also took to the stage last night at the Black Box Theatre, with their remarkable tightrope walking, impressive back-flips, flowing body curls and flying jumps. One of the big highlights of the Galway Arts Festival is the Macnas Festival Parade ‘This Thunderous Heart’ which will take place throughout the streets of Galway on Sunday evening at 8.45pm, beginning at the Spanish Arch.

The Festival Big Top will feature a line up of Irish and International musicians including the legendary Christy Moore with Declan Sinnott on Friday at 7.30pm and James Vincent McMorrow with Lisa Hannigan on Thursday, July 26.

Double platinum selling act The Coronas will play at the Festival Big Top on Friday, July 27. The band will perform a triple-bill with Bressie, former front man for The Blizzards, and Galway trio The Kanyu Tree.  

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.