With an abundance of starry reviews already in and general praise for Traverse Festival 2019 bowling us over (*blush*), we are thrilled to share the news that we have received a total of four awards in week one.
Recognising outstanding new writing premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe, Friday’s Scotsman Fringe First ceremony saw Enough (Traverse Theatre Company), How Not to Drown (ThickSkin and Traverse Theatre Company, co-produced with Tron Theatre and Lawrence Batley Theatre), and Rich Kids: A History of Shopping Malls in Tehran (Javaad Alipoor and HOME, in association with Traverse Theatre Company) all pick up a much-coveted Fringe First award.
Furthermore, at today’s Herald Angels – recognising individuals who show excellence in their field – Dritan Kastrati was awarded for his contribution as writer and actor in How Not to Drown. A humorous, painful and uplifting piece, that tells of his own experiences as a child refugee, from an escape to Kosovo to his shocking experiences in the British care system.
Dritan Kastrati says:
‘I’m humbled and incredibly grateful that How Not to Drown and myself have won these two coveted Edinburgh Festival awards – a Fringe First and a Herald Angel. To have the opportunity, as a minority in this country, to tell my story, and that of so many other young people from around the world, on an international platform, is such a privilege. I can’t thank Nicola McCartney and Neil Bettles enough for bringing it to life, and the teams at ThickSkin and Traverse Theatre Company for producing such an important and personal piece of theatre (alongside co-producers Tron Theatre and Lawrence Batley Theatre).’
We’re also pleased to reveal that Crocodile Fever has been shortlisted for the Scottish Theatre Award on the Fringe (formerly the Scottish Arts Club Award).
Browse the full Traverse Festival 2019 programme here.
