Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival to feature packed programme of storytelling and theatre in May 2023

A programme packed full of storytelling, theatre, music dance, comedy and spoken word will feature in Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival in May.

The line-up includes an immersive music, food and drink event in Castle Douglas, tongue-in-cheek comedy by Craig Hill in Dumfries, intimate pop-up opera from Scottish Opera in Sanquhar and Moniaive, and a Play, a Pie and a Pint in Moffat, Dumfries and Stranraer.

Scotland’s largest rural arts festival will run between May 20 and 28 in 14 venues across the region, bringing communities together to be entertained and inspired.

Opening the event with a bang is Gaither A Thegether, a unique immersive event combining folk and dub music, live performers, food and drink.

Festival fans can also enjoy a larger-than-life feline performance at Crawick Multiverse and a live music extravaganza by Oceanallover on the streets of Kirkcudbright.

Celebrating queer theatre, Shelf presents Hair at the Theatre Royal in Dumfries. Storyteller Patricia Ace weaves a yarn at The Stove in Dumfries and A Climate for Change in Dalbeattie showcases a double-bill of work commissioned through the festival’s Stage iT programme supporting two leading local youth theatre groups.

Returning to the festival after previous sell-out performances are Scottish Opera with Pop-Up Opera in Sanquhar and Moniaive, and A Play, A Pie and A Pint, with brand new theatrical treats at lunchtime in Dumfries, Stranraer and Moffat.

As part of the programme, venues are hosting events in the heart of local communities to inspire and bring people together.

Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival hopes to encourage both new and familiar faces to return to community theatres and spaces, and celebrate live performance across the region.

Recognising the current economic climate, events range from free to a maximum of £15 to keep the festival accessible to as many audiences as possible, with most tickets being under £10. Under -26s can purchase tickets for as little as £3.50. BSL patrons can request an interpreter to any of the events.

Festival chief executive Simon Hart said: “We look forward to welcoming audiences across Dumfries and Galloway to our festival events, sharing the brilliant, inspiring and world-class work of leading Scottish and UK performers in theatre, opera, spoken word, comedy and dance, as well as showcasing the skills and talents of local artists.”

Tickets now on sale from May 22 from 2023 here: https://dgartsfestival.org.uk/