Birmingham has been chosen to host the World Festival of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) in July 2016.
The International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People, ASSITEJ, voted overwhelmingly at the 18th World Congress in Warsaw to hold the 2016 Festival in Birmingham. This will be the first time the festival has been held in the UK.
The World Festival of Theatre for Young Audiences, called On the Edge, will present performances, workshops, seminars and events in theatres and venues across the city, with Birmingham REP as the main festival hub.
The programme will be selected by Purni Morell, artistic director of the Unicorn Theatre, who said, “I’m very excited to be given this platform to bring together some of the best shows for children from across the globe. It’s going to be a particular pleasure doing this in Birmingham.”
Nina Hajiyianni, artistic director of Action Transport Theatre and chair of TYA UK, said, “The World Festival of Theatre for Young Audiences will celebrate the amazing and diverse work being produced by professional theatre companies across the globe.
“It will play an important role in raising the status and profile of TYA in the UK and Ireland, and promoting the importance of art made especially for children.”
Alan Davey, chief executive of Arts Council England, said, “We’re committed to supporting work created by, with and for young people, believing passionately in the value of immersion in the arts from an early age.
“It will be a great pleasure to see this internationally acclaimed festival in Birmingham in 2016. I am sure that it will showcase work of the very highest quality and inspire young people to engage and make more theatre.”
On the Edge will take place from 2 until 10 July 2016.