Festival returns to city for third year

DEparture Lounge returns to Derby Theatre in summer 2015

From Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26, DEparture Lounge will once again see Derby Theatre transformed into a festival site where audiences and artists alike can see the very best in contemporary theatre, picnic and support artists to take flight.

Highlights of the Festival include: a panel discussion around artist development, chaired by Lyn Gardner from The Guardian; award-winning and highly acclaimed companies and artists such as Theatre Re:, TOOT and Richard Dedomenici; seasonal scratch nights, in-flight breakfasts, a kooky look at Karaoke, an immersive theatrical experience performed at a pub in Derby and a visit to the great British ice cream van in Derbados (Derby Theatre Car Park)!.

The festival also includes, for emerging artists: masterclasses in directing, devising and performing, show surgeries and the chance to connect with independent producers – plus much more for audiences and artists alike.

Ruby Glaskin, creative producer of Derby Theatre’s In Good Company scheme, said: “DEparture Lounge aims to inspire artists and audiences so we can continue to cultivate culture in the East Midlands.

For our 2015 festivals, I hope I have curated a programme of work that reflects this.

“I’ve tried to bring together a richmix of work from Theatre Re’s astounding physical performance to Sleeping Tree’s belly-aching comedy and Dumbshow’s politically charged devised Theatre.

“I’m excited to be giving a platform to work developed here in the region from Maison Foo, LaPelle’s Factory and TOOT, and I can’t wait for some offbeat treats from Richard Dedomenici and Old Salt’s Ice Cream Van!

“There’s also plenty of your usual In Good Company development opportunities such as masterclasses, workshops and surgeries so it still remains a brilliant opportunity to develop artistic practice.

“I’m also delighted to be hosting a DEparture Lounge Check-in, a warm up gig in Leicester with headline acts! And of course dialogue and discussion remains at the heart of it all, with a DEvelop Q&A in Leicester about opportunities and challenges for disabled artists and a return visit to our DEvelop panel discussion in Derby chaired by Lyn Gardner. I can’t wait for take-off!”