Tragedy gets gospel twist as Festival unveils programme

Published on Wednesday 17 March 2010 09:27

A GOSPEL version of a Greek tragedy, a visually stunning mix of theatre and cinema, and a look at one of the most controversial explorations in Scottish history are among the highlights of this year's Edinburgh International Festival.

The 2010 Festival programme, launched this morning, takes The New World as its theme and explores the contemporary cultures of North, Central and South America, and Australasia.

Top performers from around the world will take part in a huge array of concerts, operas and plays at venues around the city over four weeks, with tickets from just 8.

Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival director, said: "This year the Festival takes us on a journey around the contemporary cultures of the Americas and Australasia. We have shifted our centre of gravity from Europe towards these intriguing and complex continents."

Highlights include the world premiere of Caledonia by political writer Alistair Beaton.

The play is an exploration of Scotland's futile attempt at establishing a colony in Panama which saw ships set sail from Leith in 1698.

The mission ended in failure, bankrupted the country and played a role in Scotland signing the Treaty of Union in 1707.

One of the biggest shows will be The Gospel at Colonus, with gospel choirs including The Blind Boys of Alabama and The Abyssinian Chancel Choir from Harlem performing their unique version of the Greek tragedy of Oedipus.

There is also a rare chance to see a newly created opera, with the European premiere of Australian work Bliss, based on the best- selling novel by Peter Carey, about an advertising executive who suffers a near-death experience and wakes up believing he is dead.

And there will be a chance for audiences to enjoy the work of Tietro Cinema, a company from Chile renowned for their innovative mix of film and theatre.

Concerts will include performances from Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra – considered by many to be the world's finest orchestra – as well as The Cleveland Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

There is contemporary dance by Samoan choreographer Lemi Ponifasio – featuring veteran Maori activist Tame Iti – Brazilian dance from Grupo Corpo, and the San Francisco ballet performing with renowned tabla player Zakir Hussain.

Scotland's culture minister, Fiona Hyslop MSP, said: "Jonathan's programme shows we have another August of outstanding events and performances to look forward to at this year's International Festival. I am delighted we are able to support the Festival through our Expo Fund to help produce this exciting and diverse programme, putting Scotland's own world-class talent on the international stage."

Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "The programme for this year's Edinburgh International Festival looks vibrant and truly international. I am certain that it will help to maintain Edinburgh's reputation as a global leader for culture and tourism."

The Edinburgh International Festival runs from 13 August to 5 September. Tickets go on sale from 27 March.

Dates for your diary

Highlights of this year's Edinburgh International Festival include:

El Nino (13 August, Usher Hall) The opening concert sees the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra tackle American composer John Adams' take on the miracle of the nativity.

Porgy and Bess (14, 16, 17 August, Festival Theatre) A spectacular multi-media production of George Gershwin's classic by Opra de Lyon and the contemporary dance Compagnie Montalvo-Hervieu.

Bliss (2, 4 September, Festival Theatre) The European Premiere of this newly created opera based on the novel by Peter Carey and performed by Opera Australia and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Tempest: Without a Body (14, 15 August, The Edinburgh Playhouse) Samoan choreographer Lemi Ponifasio brings a new version of The Tempest, starring veteran Maori activist Tame Iti.

The Gospel at Colonus (21, 22, 23 August, The Edinburgh Playhouse) Gospel music drives this radical reworking of Sophocles's tragedy Oedipus at Colonus in what is expected to be one of the most stunning shows at this year's Festival.

Caledonia (21, 22, 24, 25, 26 August, King's Theatre) Political satirist Alistair Beaton looks at the disastrous attempt by Scotland to set up a colony in Panama. Performed by the National Theatre of Scotland.