The constant evolution and expansion of Electric Picnic has long been one of the annual Laois festival’s biggest draws. Set to return to Stradbally Estate from September 2-4, organisers have revealed its latest extension: a new area called Hazel Wood that offers “mesmerising storytelling through interactive theatre, immersive hauntings, shadow puppetry, visual displays, commedia dell’arte workshops, visual art and much, much more”.
And to mark the new area’s debut outing, festival-goers will be given the opportunity to hear Cathy Davey’s forthcoming new album live and in full on the Friday night. Davey said, “Because this album was written in the forest I had fairly unrealistic notions of its first performance being in the woods. But Electric Picnic and Melvin have made it happen, I’m beyond excited. Maybe some of the creatures in the album will make an appearance!”
With curious happenings Footsbarn Travelling Theatre, Twisted Tales, The Melting Pot, family circus Fossetts and Behind the Mask just a few of the highlights making up the area’s inaugural bill, see below for what Hazel Wood has to offer at Electric Picnic 2016.
