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Imaginate celebrates a record-breaking 30th Children’s Festival

Posted: 25th June 2019

Last month, Imaginate celebrated the 30th edition of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Scotland’s world-leading celebration of theatre and dance for children. From 25 May to 2 June, Edinburgh played host to 15 productions from 8 countries, attracting record-breaking audiences. Over 6,300 school pupils attended – a 12% increase from 2018 – as well as over 5,000 members of the public, and 320 industry professionals from 25 different countries. A highlight was the immersive production Small Wonders, by world-renowned theatre-makers Punchdrunk. Staged in a ‘secret’ warehouse in Bonnington, Small Wonders welcomed audiences into a grandmother’s council flat to view her collection of miniatures. But all was not quite as it seemed, and between the ringing phone and the twinkle in granny’s eye, the stage was set for a breath-taking journey of wonder… Other highlights included Family Day in the National Museum of Scotland: a day of free performances and creative activities for all ages.

Festival Director Noel Jordan reflected: ‘We couldn’t have asked for a better reception for our 30th anniversary programme. Our Festival looks outward to the world but it belongs first and foremost to the children, schools and families of Edinburgh, and we were delighted to welcome so many of them this year to see shows and be inspired’.

The Children’s Festival works with a range of local corporate partners to achieve their mutual business aims. We welcome conversations with Chamber Members who might be interested in partnering with us in 2020: visit https://bit.ly/2Xq34ve to find out more, or contact Fundraising Manager Molly Goyer Gorman at molly@imaginate.org.uk.

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