Front & Centre is a three-day festival held over International Women’s Day weekend (6th – 8th March) which will champion female and non-binary playwrights from the North of Ireland, culminating in a post-show discussion from Derry’s own Lisa McGee. 

The programme launches on Friday, 6th March at 1:00 p.m. with a welcome address and a session dedicated to Mapping the Landscape. Karis Kelly, a Bangor based playwright will join Gemma Walker-Farren and Soso Ní Cheallaigh, two established Derry based theatre makers, to interrogate how female playwrights in the North East can better support those in the North West, through innovative network building and collaboration. 

A keynote speech given by Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick will celebrate the fearless and rebellious women of Derry, noting, “women’s political activism in Northern Ireland has frequently required them to engage with a hostile state in a struggle for their civil rights. Historically in Derry, this has been a sectarian struggle focusing on access to housing and employment; and post-conflict, women’s civil rights in relation to reproduction, health, and security continue to be precarious. Despite this, Derry women are renowned for their strength and resilience.”

Over the course of the weekend, attendees can look forward to workshops led by established writers and industry figures, opportunities for emerging playwrights to showcase their talent, and open forums encouraging candid dialogue and the sharing of practical strategies.

See the full line-up here.