Bram Stoker Festival

#Festival: Bram Stoker Festival 2018 reveals first events for October Bank Holiday

One of Dublin’s most anticipated festivals, and now one of its biggest, Bram Stoker Festival returns to celebrate the supernatural, the thrill of Samhain and the legacy of one of Ireland’s most treasured authors this October Bank Holiday Weekend (October 26th – 29th). Brought to you by Dublin City Council and Fáilte Ireland, Bram Stoker Festival has revealed the first of this year’s events. For events information and tickets sink your teeth into www.bramstokerfestival.com

Fans of film screenings accompanied by live music will love the stunning NYsferatu: Symphony of a Century, directed by Andrea Mastrovito, an animated interpretation of the classic 1922 horror film Nosferatu. Set in present day New York City, it turns the original film on its head, positioning the vampire character as that most contemporary of “outsiders” – an emigrant escaping war and hardships at home only to face economic exploitation, discrimination and xenophobia in their new country. Rich with symbolism and political commentary, the film retells the story of the vampire through the lens of modern-day fears about Islam, immigration, and refugees. The film, which replicates the eerie, flickering shutter effect of early cinema, will be accompanied by a specially commissioned live score by internationally renowned composer Matthew Nolan (Ireland), with similarly celebrated international musicians Erik Friedlander (U.S.A), Sean MacErlaine (Ireland) and Jan Bang (Norway) at St. Anne’s Church, Dawson St, where Bram Stoker married Florence Balcombe in 1878.

The Night of the Shifting Bog
The Night of the Shifting Bog – Loosysmokes 2018

Brave enough to delve deep into the woods by night? Adventurous souls are welcomed to walk deep into the woods under cloak of darkness, at the world premiere of The Night of the Shifting Bog, by the world renowned Loosysmokes. A world where bodies soar in the sky and crash to the ground, swallowed whole awaits. Using the centuries-old trees as their stage, this dark, immersive and atmospheric aerial acrobatic show will enthral and spook in equal measure, as performers whirl and scatter through shadows, flickering projections, pulsing sounds and the audience itself. This specially commissioned new circus/theatre show, taking place in St. Anne’s Park, Clontarf, is based on a passage from The Snake’s Pass, Stoker’s novel set in the boglands of Ireland.

For families, firm favourite Stokerland returns to take over St. Patrick’s Park for two days of Victorian fun and frolics. With one of Dublin’s most stunning cathedrals as a striking backdrop, this Gothic gathering is full of entertainment to keep little monsters amused, including the macabre talents of world class street-performers as well as rides and attractions to ensure a fangtastic time for all.

The full programme for Bram Stoker Festival will be revealed in late September. With more than 70,000 people expected to enjoy the festival’s events in 2018, there’ll be something for everyone in the packed programme of theatre, readings, illustration and animation, outdoor screenings, audio treats, free family fun parks, podcasts and electrifying adventures in unusual locations throughout the city.

We couldn’t be more excited about this year’s programme. We’re working with artists and producing events that find inspiration in the life and works of Bram Stoker, his gothic legacy, Dublin’s spectacular Victorian, the supernatural, and Ireland’s Samhain traditions, while also celebrating contemporary and artistic interpretations of his most significant legacy, Dracula.
Maria Schweppe, Festival Co-Director

The Night of the Shifting Bog 

Night of the Shifting Bog
The Night of the Shifting Bog – Loosysmokes 2018

https://www.bramstokerfestival.com/sessions/night-of-the-shifting-bog/

St. Anne’s Park, Raheny, Dublin 5

October 26th – 29th (2 performances nightly)

Tickets: €16 (incl €1 booking fee)

Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.

 

NYsferatu: Symphony of a Century

NYsferatu

https://www.bramstokerfestival.com/sessions/nysferatu/

St. Anne’s Church, Dawson Street

October 26th (2 performances)

Tickets: €21 (incl €1 booking fee)

Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.

 

Stokerland

Stokerland
Photos: allenkielyphotography.com / Olga Kuzmenko

https://www.bramstokerfestival.com/sessions/stokerland-2018/

St. Patrick’s Park, Dublin 8

October 28th & 29th

Tickets: Free

 

Limited tickets on sale at 6pm on Wednesday 5th September at www.bramstokerfestival.com

Dubliners and visitors to the city are invited to follow the fun using #bitemedublin #fiaclafola onFacebook, Twitter and Instagram.