A climate conscious collaboration between Waterford’s Theatre Royal and artist-in-residence Nick Kavanagh, of Curious State Theatre Company, is one of 43 recipients to be awarded funding under the new Creative Climate Action Fund, announced tby the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Ministers Catherine Martin and Eamon Ryan.

This Creative Ireland initiative supports creative, cultural and artistic projects that build awareness around climate change and empower citizens to make meaningful behavioural changes.

The project, titled ‘The Greenhouse’, will feature a site-responsive, interactive piece of theatre which begins on the Theatre Royal stage before flowing out into the theatre’s urban biodiversity garden and onto the streets of Waterford, guiding audiences on a magical journey through time, space, illuminations and aural reimaginings.

“The Greenhouse is an unplugged, climate conscious theatrical experiment”, explains Nick. “The ensemble of makers, performers and musicians aim to begin the process of making work that is sustainable, that reduces theatre’s carbon footprint and leads the way in creating and disseminating new work. This is a huge day for Curious State and our wonderfully flourishing relationship with Theatre Royal. This funding elevates our artist-in-residence at Theatre Royal to a whole new level. Our aim is to use our creative skills to help change the way in which we view and use our planet.”

Theatre Director Mary Boland said the production will also feature installation art within the Theatre Royal building, demanding that audiences and passers-by come closer and engage with urban biodiversity and eco-art: “We are so grateful to be included in this fund. It will enable us to work closely with the Curious State team to start developing this exciting piece of work in the coming months and present it to the people of Waterford next summer as part of our ongoing campaign to increase climate change and biodiversity awareness through creativity.”

• The Creative Climate Action Fund is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of the Taoiseach.