Edinburgh International Festival

World-class theatre, opera, dance and music – August 12 - September 4, 2011.

Events and reviews

Actus Tragicus
From September 4 2009 to September 5 2009 at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh.
Within the cross-section of a four-storey building, the minutiae and repetition of human behaviour is brought to life in this production of JS Bach's opera.

Admeto, re' di Tessaglia
From August 28 2009 to August 31 2009 at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh.
Admeto's classical Greek world is re-imagined as the world of the Japanese samurai, very formal, with a strict hierarchy and many rules.

Afterplay
From August 31 2009 to September 5 2009 at King's Theatre, Edinburgh.
An extraordinary encounter between two of Chekhov's lost souls, from the pen of Brian Friel.

Ashton/Forsythe/Spink
From September 4 2009 to September 5 2009 at Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh.
Ballet triple bill.

Bliss
From September 2 2010 to September 4 2010 at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh.
"There is a brilliant two-hour play that is stuck in this three-hour, repetitive opera"

Caledonia
From August 21 2010 to August 26 2010 at King's Theatre, Edinburgh.
"A lifeless, linear retelling of a truly fascinating story"

Disapora
From August 15 2009 to August 16 2009 at Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh.
A sweeping, panoramic performance exploring memory, migration, assimilation and the triumph of the human spirit.

Faith Healer
From August 15 2009 to September 5 2009 at King's Theatre, Edinburgh.
"The acting is faultless ... just go and see this outstanding production"

Faust
From August 18 2009 to August 22 2009 at Lowland Hall, Edinburgh.
"A theatrical feast of visuals that will greatly impress"

Gelabert Azzopardi Companyia de Dansa
From August 21 2009 to August 23 2009 at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh.
Dance double bill.

Il ritorno d'Ulisse
From August 23 2009 to August 26 2009 at King's Theatre, Edinburgh.
Opera singers, musicians, half life-sized puppets and animated film come together to retell the Greek myth of Ulysses.

La Didone
Until August 22 2007 at Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh.
"Very well sung and played, albeit with somewhat unusual trimmings"

Mabou Mines Dollhouse
Until August 28 2007 at King's Theatre, Glasgow.
"Audacious, startling, nightmarish, theatrical and eye-opening"

Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray
From January 1 2008 to August 30 2008 at King's Theatre, Edinburgh.
"Thrillingly up-to-date ... Dorian is part David Beckham, part Patrick Bateman"

Michael Clark: New Work
From August 28 2009 to August 31 2009 at Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh.
The Scottish dancer returns to the EIF for the first time in more than 20 years.

On Danse
Until August 13 2007 at Playhouse, Edinburgh.
"A psychedelic celebration of body and soul ... great fun"

Optimism
From August 15 2009 to August 17 2009 at Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh.
"The ensemble acting is fantastic ... the biting satire of Candide is not to be found"

Orpheus X
Until August 29 2007 at Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh.
"Stylish but soulless... the score is haunting"

Peter and Wendy
From September 2 2009 to September 5 2009 at Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh.
"A rather special production that is emotionally satisfying and magically theatrical"

Platform
Until September 2 2006 at Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh.
"Hardcore pornography, full-frontal nudity ... a pessimistic peep show"

St Kilda - Island of the Birdmen
From August 15 2009 to August 17 2009 at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh.
Opera about the Scottish island, performed in Gaelic, French and English.

The Return of Ulysses
From August 21 2009 to August 23 2009 at Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh.
Choreographer Christian Spuck's production fills Penelope's loneliest years with humour, wit and the down right weird.

The Testament of Cressid
From August 29 2009 to September 5 2009 at The Hub, Edinburgh.
Jimmy Yuill perform in the first staged production of this epic work commissioned by Edinburgh International Festival.

The Yalta Game
From August 29 2009 to September 5 2009 at King's Theatre, Edinburgh.
Play by Brian Friel based on a theme in Anton Chekhov's The Lady with the Lapdog.

Troilus and Cressida
Until August 26 2006 at King's Theatre, Edinburgh.
"An utterly gorgeous production... plenty to thrill and delight"