Edgefest opened last week at the MAC with the critically acclaimed The Man Who Fell to Pieces from Tinderbox, and continues this week with two new productions from Prime Cut, Every Day I Wake Up Hopeful by John Patrick Higgins and East Belfast Boy by Fintan Brady.

Edgefest is a mini festival produced in collaboration with the two leading theatre companies and the MAC, with work that throws the light on the mental health crisis facing many of our citizens with a special focus on men. The theatre productions are supported by a series of free workshops and talks which are focused on practical and positive ways to manage self-care and evolve a deeper understanding of holistic practices which can help us manage stress in our daily lives.

Speaking today, Prime Cut Artistic Director Emma Jordan said:

‘We are so excited to be producing these two plays by two very talented Northern Irish writers. The plays are very different Every Day I Wake Up Hopeful [ starring Charlie Bonner and directed by Rhiann Jeffrey] is a heartbreakingly funny story of Malachy a man facing an epic mid-life crisis whilst East Belfast Boy [ starring Ryan McParland and directed by Emma Jordan] brings us into the world of Davy a young DJ and father who is at a precipice in his life – East Belfast Boy was created by Partisan Productions through a collaborative process involving the creative team and young men from the Beersbridge and Newtownards Roads in Belfast. It was first presented at Ballymacarrett Friendship Centre in August 2015 as part of the Eastside Arts Festival. Prime Cut are thrilled to be bringing this authentic exciting play to new audiences in the MAC. Both these plays are funny and real and encourage audiences to engage in an act of empathy as we understand the worlds in which these characters exist.’

Prime Cut Productions began 2018 making quite a splash with seven nominations in the prestigious Irish Times Theatre Awards for their Lyric Theatre co-production of Red by John Logan. Red had its Irish Premiere in The Lyric in April 2017 and is nominated in the Best Play category with further nominations for all the creative team and cast with a clean sweep for best lighting design, set design, director, actor, supporting actor and choreographer. The Award Ceremony will take place in the National Concert Hall on 25th Feb 2018.

Gilly Campbell, Arts Development Officer for Drama and Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented, “Congratulations to Prime Cut Productions and the Lyric Theatre on their well-deserved seven Irish Times Theatre Awards nominations.  Prime Cut Productions continue to push boundaries and offer audiences challenging, impressive and innovative theatre.  I would also encourage everyone to go along to Prime Cut’s Edgefest at The MAC which demonstrates the power of the arts in highlighting and opening dialogue around difficult subjects.”

To buy tickets to East Belfast Boy and Every Day I Wake Up Hopeful contact the MAC on 028 9023 5053 or  www.themaclive.com

Prime Cut’s work is supported by the Arts Council Northern Ireland, the Belfast City Council and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

For further information contact Stephen Coulter on 028 9024 4044 or mobile 078 5671 7726 email stephen@primecutproductions.co.uk