ABSOLUT Fringe Festival launches today!

Words: Caroline Foran

Though it feels like just yesterday that 2011's Brave New World ABSOLUT Fringe Festival wrapped up, this year's eclectic mix of shows is already upon us. What makes this year's festival even more special than the ones that have gone before is that in 2012, the festival turns 18, giving us even more reason to celebrate. Today marks the much anticipated launch of the 2012 ABSOLUT Fringe Festival with an exciting and poignant theme - 'Occupy your Imagination'. Fronted by the Rubberbandits, this year's launch takes place at the Button Factory this evening and we'll be there along with our eTV crew to chat to festival director Róise Goan about what we can expect from the 16 day festival programme, what we should see without fail and what sets this festival apart from the rest. We'll also find out what you, the public, are most excited for this year.

And just so you know, as with last year, we at entertainment.ie are selling our own batch of the hottest tickets. You can find them here on the site tomorrow, following this evening's launch.

Before we bring you the full festival breakdown - which includes 90 shows of theatre, comedy, music, circus and the more unusual fare - let's take a look at some of the highlights, chosen by the festival organisers.

THEATRE

ELEVATOR | THISISPOPBABY
Following their smash hit musical at the Abbey Theatre, producing powerhouse THISISPOPBABY (Alice in Funderland, Trade, The Year of Magical Wanking) present a fractured parable of a world where everything is available but nothing ever satisfies.

SINGLEHOOD | Una McKevitt
Award-winning theatre maker Una McKevitt explores what it’s like to be a ‘singleton’ in a world that you are often shunned for not being in a conventional relationship or marriage - Singlehood is an explosive look into the highs and lows of being single. And it's all true.

HUNGRY TENDER | THEATREclub
'Spirit of the Fringe Award 2010’ winners THEATREclub return with a major new work. A show for anyone who has ever gotten up in the middle of the night to make and devour a mountain of toast. It’s a comeback concert by Shane Byrne about FOOD and ELVIS PRESLEY: The King.

WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT | Nassim Soleimanpour
This play is taking festivals the world over by storm. The play will see some of the biggest names in Irish Theatre take a leap of faith performing from a script they have never seen before. Creator Nassim Soleimanpour is forbidden to travel from his home country of Iran so he turns his isolation into advantage with a play that requires no director, no set and a different actor for every performance.

SOLPADEINE IS MY BOYFRIEND | With an ‘F’ Productions
Steffanie Priessner’s self-deprecating humour and unflinching honesty are quickly becoming a trademark worth paying for. The play is about change – thoses we can’t control, can’t come back from, like growing up, emigrating and that moment you realise: you’re not who you thought you were going to be.

SPARKPLUG | Little John Nee
This treasure of a show is one for anyone who’s felt like they haven’t belonged, and who believes in magic. Sparkplug Callaghan is a songster, showman and storymaker who returns to Tullyglen in Co. Donegal. He’s got the blues bad: everyday there’s another funeral, Joe Duffy’s on the radio and the banks are putting people on the side of the road…but across the meadow he sees a vision...his boat has come in.

MUSIC

RUBBERBANDITS
The phenomenon that is Rubberbandits come home after taking Edinburgh by storm for their first ever outdoor concert in Dublin city centre. This outrageous live show combining music sketches and on-stage insanity is a definite sell-out - so book your ticket as soon as possible.

EFTERKLANG
Kicking off their world tour and brand new album release, Paramida, music doesn’t come much cooler than the majestic sounds of Efterklang. For one night only Danish alt-pop band will take to the stage on Meeting House Square accompanied by the Major Lift Orchestra. Gigs this special are few and far between so prepare yourself for a music experience like no other.

FLÅTPÄCK | Ulysses Opera Theatre
FLÅTPÄCK is an opera in five rooms about living with furniture. Eight singers and instrumentalists present an ‘awesome’ (The Times London) and ‘simply beautiful’ (Opernwelt, Berlin) mixture of opera, humour and carpentry, with music composed by Tom Lane and a libretto made of IKEA product titles. We present you, the audience, with all of the pieces you need — you’ll enjoy putting it together.

KORMAC’S BIG BAND
Festival favourites all over Ireland, this is Kormac's only date in Dublin this year - Get ready as he and his 11 piece band invade Meeting House Square and create musical mayhem. Described by BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac as “the most bizarre set-up I've ever seen - but it really works,”. Kormac’s Big Band have become a global sensation with tours all over Europe and Australia.

DANCE

DOGS | Emma Martin
Irish choreographer, Emma martin, premieres a brand new dance piece after her breakout hit at ABSOLUT Fringe 2010 with Listowel Syndrome, which still has people talking. This new work is hotly anticipated.

STRAIGHT TO DVD | Ponydance
The fantastic Ponydance return to ABSOLUT fringe with more verve than before after their pervious Fringe hit shows (Where did it all go right? 2009, Anybody Waitin’ 2010). These Fringe favourites hoof their way through words and dance, bringing you Saturday night television at its worst, ad breaks and all. Don’t miss this show!

DANCE DOUBLE BILL – EMPTY ECHO & SOFTER SWELLS | Aoife McAtamney
Two new dance works from the extremely talented Aoife McAtamney – one solo work and one with her excellent conspirators of Dish Dance.

OUTDOOR / UNUSUAL / SPECTACLE

BRIEFS
Australia’s award winning mischief-makers in a circus-infused variety show for the not-so-faint-hearted. Sold out at every festival they’ve played across the world. There’s a good reason why - the best night out you’ll have this year.

THE PLAYGROUND
The Playground programme is all about immersing yourself, getting involved and being an active participant. The festival has brought you some of the best participatory experiences from around the world to Dublin, so dress warm, wear comfortable shoes and don’t be shy! This programme features 7 different amazing experiences including:

MACNAS | Rumpus & The Cockroach And The Inventor
After their astounding successes in 2010 and 2011, Macnas return to the festival with two very special shows Rumpus and The Cockroach And The Inventor - Tickets are free but limited so book early.

WORD RIVER | Fergal McCarthy
Artist Fergal McCarthy returns with a new art installation in 2012, his final collaboration with ABSOLUT Fringe in a triptych which sees him subtly provoking this city of famous literature and speaking our language.

FARM | WillFredd Theatre
Spirit of the Fringe 2011 winners WillFredd Theatre have teamed up with farmers, beekeepers, allotment owners and city dwellers to interrupt the city centre with FARM, a space where the Rural and the Urban unite and bloom. This new work from the excellent WillFredd Theatre is unbearably exciting. Put your wellies on and get down to the Farm.

CIRCUS

THIS IS WHAT WE DO FOR A LIVING | Tumble Circus
Comedy circus with a theatrical narrative of how a Dublin boy and a Swedish girl met on Grafton Street in the 90’s and fell in and out of love. Featuring flying hula hoops, slapstick acrobatics, stunning aerial rope and daring double trapeze, it has wowed audiences of all ages the world over. 2012 winner Best Circus andPhysical Theatre Show Adelaide Fringe.

SELL OUT TOUR | Lords of Strut
Cork’s finest make their ABSOLUT Fringe debut with a non-stop rollercoaster of comedy, circus tricks and bucketloads of charm

CONSTELLATIONS | PaperDolls
They came out of nowhere last year with their eponymous debut and now PaperDolls bring us on a shamanic trip seeking truth and necessity in a suspended territory of uninhibited youth, energy, physical ability and ropes. Another amazing ‘must see’ event at ABSOLUT Fringe.

CAUGHT | Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre
Fidget Feet are a pint-sized Cirque du Soleil originating from Donegal, returning to ABSOLUT Fringe after 2010’s sensual Hang On. This sexy, dark and dangerous visual feast is a retelling of a fairytale, but this time it's strictly for grown-ups

COMEDY

DEAD CAT BOUNCE….CLOWNS
International comedy supergroup Dead Cat Bounce make their first appearance at ABSOLUT Fringe with a brand new comedy play, Clowns. Dead Cat Bounce have performed to packed houses and critical acclaim at all the major international comedy festivals from Edinburgh to Melbourne to Montreal. A real treat at this year’s festival.

THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED, ReTWEETED & AVAILABLE ON 4OD | Abie Philban Bowman
Contemporary Irish political and social satire at its very best – Abie Philban Bowban’s latest Fringe production surfaces on the coat-tails of Jesus: The Guantanamo Years, Pope Benedict: Bond Villain and Stand-Up Against The Bankers. His new show is a revolutionary comedy for ABSOLUT Fringe 2012.

Story by EI Team | 09:00 | Wednesday 18th July 2012 | Theatre

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