EIF Returns

Apr 13 2021 | By More

Live performance in outdoor venues for August 2021

The EIF has announced that it will definitely take place this August 2021, and that it will add three temporary outdoor pavilions to its existing venues.

EIF 2021 will run from Saturday 7 to Sunday 29 August 2021, cutting off the dates usually reserved for the major opening performance and the final fireworks. The 2021 programme will be announced on Wednesday 2 June, with tickets on general sale from Friday 11 June.

Impression of a performance venue to be used at the Old College Quad. Pic: EIF

The three temporary outdoor pavilions will be designed for live performance. They will be situated at “iconic city locations” including Edinburgh Park and the University’s Old College Quad. A third has yet to be announced.

The temporary venues will have covered concert stages and socially distanced seating. Other Covid-secure elements will include shorter performances with no intervals, physical distancing, regular cleaning, and contactless ticketing.

Fergus Linehan, festival director of the EIF, said: “While there are still uncertainties ahead, we are confident that this programme will give us the very best chance of delivering a season of live performance from 7 – 29 August. All our planning will be led by the advice we continue to receive from our partners in Government”

first steps

The programme will cover opera, orchestral and chamber music, theatre and contemporary music. Beside the live performances the EIF will release a selection of “high-quality streamed performances” free of charge during each week of the Festival.

Impression of a performance venue to be used at Edinburgh Park. Pic: EIF

Linehan added: “We appreciate that these first steps back to live performances will be for audiences closer to home but are delighted to offer a parallel programme of digital work for those further afield.

“We are hugely grateful to the artists who have agreed to come on this journey with us, the stakeholders, donors, and sponsors who have stood by us through a tough year and our audiences who have cheered us along throughout.”

The return to live performance has yet to be confirmed by the Scottish government, however the road map out of lockdown gives May 17 as the indicative date for the return of performance.

The level of social distancing and numbers allowed in each venue will be further relaxed in June.

ENDS

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