Play about student life in Belfast to make international debut in Brussels
17th February, 2025
A play described as ‘an ode to Belfast student life’ will make its international debut in Brussels this month, at the prestigious Flagey arts centre.
Produced by Crybaby Productions and written and performed by emerging playwrights Orla Graham and Kirby Thompson, Float debuted at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2023, where it received much acclaim, before being selected to be part of the Northern Ireland showcase at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024. Directed by Kirby Thompson and Caoimhe McGee, Float is the latest production to travel to the Belgian capital as part of the Brussels Platform, a joint initiative by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, with funding from the National Lottery, and the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels.
The writing duo began developing the play as part of The MAC’s Hatch and Stratch programme – a bursary scheme, which gives mentoring and development opportunities to local artists. Capturing the chaos of student life and the heart-breaking complexities of healing after trauma, Float tells the story of four Belfast housemates navigating their own path together through life.
Looking forward to the performance, Orla Graham said:
“We at Crybaby Productions are delighted to be bringing Float to Brussels this February. We are grateful to be given the opportunity to showcase our work internationally at this festival and to continue to share this important story. We would like to thank the Arts Council, the Executive Office NI and The Flagey Theatre for their support so far."
Launched in 2011, the Brussels Platform has previously hosted writers, musicians, theatre practitioners and dancers, providing opportunities for NI based artists to showcase their work to international audiences, including MEPs and EU representatives in the European capital.
Siobhán Molloy, Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said:
“It’s a pleasure to be working with the NI Executive Office in Brussels to help bring this brilliant show from one of Northern Ireland’s newest theatre companies to the incredible Flagey cultural centre.
“The invitation to be back again in Brussels this year, showcasing exciting new work from here is testimony to Northern Ireland’s reputation for artistic excellence and capacity to deliver work for international audiences.”
Float will be performed in Studio 1 at the Flagey Theatre on 18th February. For more information visit www.flagey.be.