Closing Week Of BIAF

As Belfast International Arts Festival comes to a close next week, we look to the top picks you simply cannot miss.

SPLICED, Tues 29 - Wed 30 Oct, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich,
This production from Timmy Creed deals with mental health and male identity in the uber-masculine sports world of gaelic games. Honest, brave and hard-hitting, SPLICED is a visceral account of his struggle to become an individual outside of the sporting institution that raised him.

Lady Magma: The Birth of a Cult, Thurs 31 Oct - Sat 2 Nov, The MAC,
This jaw-dropping new work from Northern Ireland’s Oona Doherty and Prime Cut Productions is an edgy, thought-provoking ode to modern femininity, performed by a stunning ensemble of international contemporary female dancers.  Lady Magma has the possibility to be shocking, pleasurable and, above all for the times we live in, is a much-needed statement against the historical oppression of women and female sexuality.
Having met critical acclaim at Edinburgh Festival in August with her award-winning Hard to be Soft – A Belfast Prayer (2017), Oona Doherty’s Lady Magma is set to be a stunning tour de force performance to close this year’s festival.

New Playwrights Showcase, Thurs 31 Oct - Sat 2 Nov, Lyric Theatre
The Lyric teams up with Belfast Festival to invite you to a series of performed readings showcasing the exceptional talents of new and upcoming writers. Audiences will have the chance to see these new works for the first time, presented in dynamic double-bill readings on consecutive evenings. Be the first to experience these new voices and talent.

The Big World Podcast | A Conversation with Owen McCafferty, Wed 30 Oct, Crescent Arts Centre
The Big World Podcast by Hugh Odling-Smee is dedicated to delivering in-depth conversations with interesting artists from around the world. Joining him on the sofa is Belfast playwright Owen McCafferty (Mojo Mickybo, Scenes from the Big Picture, and Quietly) during the release of his newly written film, Ordinary Love. A perfect lunchtime outing.

Climate, Rights and Human Survival with Kumi Naidoo, Thurs 31 Oct, Exhibition Centre, Europa Hotel
Prepare to be roused and inspired to take action as this lecture addresses the human rights and climate crises facing the modern world.  Naidoo is a life-long justice and environmental campaigner from South Africa, formerly the head of Greenpeace, now Secretary General of Amnesty International.

Joshua Burnside, Fri 1 Nov, The Empire Music Hall
This acclaimed local lad has chalked up over 10 million streams on Spotify, featured extensively on BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music, and was the 2017 winner of the NI Music Prize.  Burnside is a truly unique, experimental Northern Irish Folk artist- well worth seeing. 

Kristan Swain and Máire Carroll, Sat 2 Nov, Harty Room, Queen’s University
Having both began their musical careers at a young age, Kristan has gone on to play with the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Nash Ensemble and the London Sinfonietta, whilst Máire has performed across North America, Europe and Asia. Their Northern Lights Mini-Fest programme is a tour de force of flute and piano music, culminating in Saint-Saёns’ exhilarating showpiece.

For those of you lucky to have snapped up tickets, well done, as the following are sold out:
Brexit Without the Bullsh*t with Gavin Esler, Wed 30 Oct, Ulster University, York St,
Michael Rosen, Sat 2 Nov, Ulster Museum,
Lowborn with Kerry Hudson, Sun 3 Nov, No Alibis Bookshop,

For information go to: belfastinternationalartsfestival.com/ or to book call 02890 246609.