Fri 31 Aug 2007

The first winner of the Edinburgh International Festival Award was announced today as New York-based John Clancy Productions, whose contribution to the Fringe over many years has been recognised.

First seen on the Fringe in 2004, his show Fatboy was produced this year by The Green Room on Guthrie Street to audience and critical acclaim. It is described as a brutal comedy; a live action Punch and Judy show, and a funhouse mirror reflection of the world.

John Clancy was back in the United States when told the news.

He said: “We're honoured to be chosen for this inaugural award and we're looking forward to working with the Edinburgh International Festival in the development of our next work. Creating a bridge between the Fringe and the International Festival is a brilliant and long-overdue idea and we applaud Jonathan Mills and all at EIF for this effort. And we really, really need the money, so thanks for that.”

The award provides £5,000 to develop a new project, and an invitation to present the work-in-progress as part of the Behind the Scenes programme at Festival 2008. This Festival strand allows artists to develop new work in a workshop environment.

The award has been provided by Ewan Brown, a long term supporter of EIF and recently appointed Vice Chair of the Festival Board.

Jonathan Mills, Festival Director selected the winner following recommendations made by a panel charged with scouring the 2007 Fringe.

Jonathan Mills said: “The judges were unanimous in their advice and I agree with them fully. We are now very excited to see what John comes up with. His record on the Fringe is magnificent.”

The panel was chaired by Faith Liddell, Director of Festivals Edinburgh who said: “Judging this award has been an inspiring and enjoyable experience for us all. We have appreciated being involved in creating new connections between EIF and the Fringe and in developing a unique opportunity for an artist with international vision and talent and a long record of producing outstanding work on the Fringe, to develop their work as part of EIF's new Behind the Scenes programme. John Clancy is an undeniably gifted artist who thoroughly deserves this award, and our decision was unanimous.”

Fringe Festival Director Jon Morgan said: “I am delighted that John Clancy has been chosen for the Edinburgh International Festival Award. Fatboy is a great example of the Fringe’s capacity to encourage and promote the work of innovative, international artists. The award is an important recognition of the creative synergy between the Fringe and the EIF and we look forward to working with the EIF on this and other projects.“

Ewan Brown said: “I am delighted to support this award, which builds an important bridge between the EIF and the Fringe. And I am very pleased to see it go to John Clancy who represents the international nature of the Festivals. “

The panel members were:

Chair: Faith Liddell, Director, Festivals Edinburgh
Jackie McGlone, critic
Joyce McMillan, critic
Peter Irvine, Director, Unique Events
Roy Cross, Director, British Council Scotland

ENDS

For further information please contact George Anderson, Edinburgh International Festival press office 0131 473 2020, press@eif.co.uk, or Leroy Harris, Edinburgh Festival Fringe press office 0131 240 1919, press@edfringe.com

Behind the Scenes is a new strand of the Edinburgh International Festival introduced this year. It provides a platform for companies developing new work with an opportunity for feedback from an audience and support in development as well as offering insights in to the creative processes behind Festival events.