Irish company wins prestigious Carol Tambor Award

Irish theatre company Gúna Nua have picked up the Carol Tambor Award, the most prestigious award at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The award, which includes a four-week run for the show in New York, was made to Gúna Nua and the Civic Theatre for their production of Little Gem by Elaine Murphy which opened at the Traverse Theatre on the 7th August.  The award was made at the weekly Edinburgh Fringe award ceremony, hosted by The Scotsman newspaper, in the Assembly Rooms in George Street.

Martin Cullen, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism congratulated the company on their success and commented: “I am delighted to congratulate Gúna Nua, the Civic Theatre, writer Elaine Murphy, director Paul Meade and the fantastic company of actors on their terrific achievement.  Their success is evidence, once again, that Ireland continues to produce world-class theatre and this award will ensure that international audiences will have an opportunity to experience some of the best theatre that Ireland has to offer”.

Speaking about the award, Eugene Downes (CEO of Culture Ireland) said: “For a new Irish play to win the most prestigious award at the world’s largest arts festival is an extraordinary achievement for Elaine Murphy, Gúna Nua and the Civic Theatre, and the outstanding cast of actors.  It’s striking evidence of Ireland’s world-class success in the arts.  This award opens the door to New York for the company, and Culture Ireland looks forward to working closely with the Carol Tambor Foundation to promote ‘Little Gem’ as part of our annual performing arts showcase at Arts Presenters (APAP) in New York next January”.

Little Gem was written by Elaine Murphy, directed by Paul Meade, produced by Gúna Nua and Civic Theatre and funded by the Arts Council and Culture Ireland.It returns to the Civic Theatre from the 3rd to the 12th September and will run at the Peacock Theatre (Dublin) from 20th January to 27th February 2010.

Little Gem was presented in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of the Culture Ireland Performing Arts Showcase which featured the work of three dance companies (Fearghus O Conchúir, Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Company and Rex Levitates) and two theatre companies (Gúna Nua and Making Strange Theatre Company). Culture Ireland also supported the Gate Theatre’s trilogy of Brian Friel plays as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.