The third edition of the Institute of Irish Studies' biennial Beckett Festival, celebrating the works of Samuel Beckett, took place in venues across Liverpool from 17-20 September.
Delivered in collaboration with actor Adrian Dunbar and musician Nick Roth, this year's festival highlights included a double bill of Beckett's Play and Come & Go directed by Adrian Dunbar at the Playhouse theatre, world-renowned artist Sean Scully's steel Tree for Godot immersive installation at the new School of Architecture building, and a sold-out performance at the Tung Auditorium exploring Beckett's interest in German Expressionism through music.
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- Welcome event at St. George's Hall
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- Welcome event at St. George's Hall
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- Dr Eilís Smyth from festival funder and partner the Keough-Naughton Institute, University of Notre Dame
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- Welcome event at St. George's Hall
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- LIPA performance
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- LIPA performance
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- Performance of Quad at LIPA
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- Adrian Dunbar Q&A
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- Q&A with Come & Go cast member Orla Charlton
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- Play/Come & Go
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- Play/Come & Go
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- Six Paintings concert
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- Six Paintings concert
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- Gerry Diver visiting the Tree for Godot
Gerry Diver, Institute of Irish Studies said: "We've been absolutely delighted by the feedback and reaction to Beckett: Lieben. With sold out performances at the Tung auditorium and LIPA, the audiences seemed genuinely impressed and even moved by the events. Our continuing collaboration with the Everyman & Playhouse has helped us further embed the festival in the cultural landscape of Liverpool. It was an honour to host world-renowned artist Sean Scully's steel Tree for Godot sculpture is part of an installation at the new School of Architecture building. I would like to acknowledge the curation of Adrian Dunbar and Nick Roth, who continue to surpass all expectations with the programme. Everyone at the Institute of Irish Studies is looking forward to the prospect of another great Beckett festival in 2028, with even more city partners involved."
Alongside the Institute of Irish Studies, Beckett Festival is funded by Keough-Naughton Institute, Culture Ireland and Sean Scully who donated the cost of the tree installation.
Photo credit: Cordula Treml/Unreal Cities
