Adult-only treats among Festival's Eastern promise

Published on Tuesday 22 March 2011 15:34

AN adults-only version of the Arabian Nights, a one-man performance of King Lear - in Mandarin - and a one-off performance by legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar are among the highlights of this year's Edinburgh International Festival.

The programme for this year's Festival, launched today, is themed around the Far East, drawing inspiration from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

Organisers have been in regular contact with groups and performers coming over from Japan in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, and said none of their artists had been directly affected by the disaster.

One of the Festival's big- sellers is expected to be the concert by Shankar.

The 90-year-old, one of the most widely admired contemporary Indian musicians, will be making his first appearance at the Festival in 20 years. He will be performing a series of evening "ragas" at the Usher Hall. Ragas are traditionally played during Indian ceremonies and rituals.

The European premiere of One Thousand and One Nights, meanwhile, is a strictly not-for-children version of the classic Arabian tales.

The show, split into two three-hour parts, will be performed in Arabic, English and French, with English supertitles, and is based on the original stories which were known as being "erotic, brutal, witty and poetic". The reason for the adults-only warning is being kept under wraps.

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Other highlights include the European premiere of The Peony Pavilion, a tale of love and despair performed by the National Ballet of China, in their first visit to the Capital. Scottish Ballet will perform the world premiere of a new work which is still being completed.

Celebrated Taiwanese actor Wu Hsing-kuo will brings his one-man version of Shakespeare's King Lear.

The programme also features the Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe performing The Revenge of Prince Zi Dan - a highly stylised version of Hamlet - and the first Festival performance by composer Philip Glass.

Jonathan Mills, Festival director, said: "European artists, explorers and philosophers have drawn inspiration from the Far East for centuries.

"This Festival draws inspiration from across the diverse cultures of Asia.

"We very much hope people will come on this exotic and sensual journey, and immerse themselves in the beauty and traditions of Asian cultures both ancient and modern."

This year's Festival runs from August 12 until September 4, and tickets go on sale on April 2.

CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS

&#149 The Wind-up Bird Chronicle (King's Theatre, August 20-24): The world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Haruki Murakami's best-selling novel, featuring puppetry and multimedia.

&#149 The Peony Pavilion (Festival Theatre, August 13-15): The European premiere of the show by the National Ballet of China, in their first performance at the International Festival.

&#149 One Thousand and One Nights (Royal Lyceum Theatre, August 23-September 3): An adults-only version of the classic Arabian Nights tales, which is expected to be one of the big hits of the festival.

&#149 Drought and Rain (King's Theatre, September 1-3): French Vietnamese choreographer Ea Sola's look at the human cost of war, performed by a group of elderly women who lived through the Vietnam War.

&#149 King Lear (Royal Lyceum Theatre, August 13-16): A unique adaptation of Shakespeare's play, written directed and performed by celebrated Taiwanese actor Wu Hsing-kuo.

&#149 The Qatsi Trilogy (The Playhouse, August 13-15): Composer Philip Glass makes his Festival debut, playing a live score with his ensemble to three films by director Godfrey Reggio.

&#149 Virgin Money Fireworks Concert (Princes Street Gardens, September 4): The traditional closing concert and fireworks display.