Derby Theatre is to showcase some of this year’s Edinburgh Festival talent—before it goes north of the border.
DEparture Lounge will involve the main stage being transformed for a week into a festival area where audiences can watch “some of the most exciting fringe theatre companies before they depart for the heady lights of Edinburgh and beyond”.
The theatre’s artistic director Sarah Brigham said, “DEparture Lounge is an exciting proposition for both us and our audiences at Derby Theatre.
“It's going to allow our audiences to see us in a completely new light as we invite them to take their seat not in the auditorium but on the Derby Theatre main stage, which will be transformed with picnic blankets and deck chairs.
“Other audiences will have to travel to Edinburgh and wait until August to see this exciting work. We'll have it all on our doorstep in July.”
She added, “I'm particularly delighted to be welcoming The Guardian's theatre critic Lyn Gardner to Derby to chair the opening discussion panel on how we support emerging creatives.
“Derby is a city of talent and potential and it’s our job at Derby Theatre to ensure that it is realised and celebrated in the cultural sector also.
“Audiences can expect to see new ways of making theatre—one company powers all its lights by batteries charged through pedal power; another will combine video goggles with live performance in a show for only two people to take part in at any one showing.
“I can’t wait to welcome our audiences in.”
DEparture Lounge will take place between 11 and 19 July.