Dance Guide 2011

2011

Dance at the Festival eif.co.uk/dance

‘Rhapsodies of colour and design… a world apart’ South China Morning Post

Re- Triptych Shen Wei Dance Arts 1-3 September Photo: Alex Pines

Welcome to your guide to dance at the Edinburgh International Festival 2011.

This year the Festival draws inspiration from the rich and varied cultures of the Far East and the dance programme offers you some of the finest dancers and choreographers from around the world, right here in Edinburgh.

Intricate classical Indian dance, inventive dance theatre, spectacular western classical ballet and mesmerising contemporary dance can be found in venues across the city.

Read on to find out more about the dance companies performing this year.

Photo: Liu Yang

‘Remarkable and unique’ Time Out Hong Kong

The Peony Pavilion EUROPEAN PREMIERE

Saturday 13 – Monday 15 August 7.30pm Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Tickets from £12 eif.co.uk/peony National Ballet of China National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra Zhang Yi Conductor Fei Bo Choreographer Guo Wenjing Composer, music arrangement and orchestration Beautiful Du Liniang falls asleep by the Peony Pavilion and dreams of a lover she has never met. She wakes in despair and asks the Flower Goddess to find her lost love. Unable to find him, Liniang dies of a broken heart and is forced to turn to the Infernal Judge of the Underworld for help.

This is a full-scale ballet production with lavish sets, sumptuous costumes and a mesmerising fusion of western classical ballet and traditional Chinese dance. A ballet for dance-lovers of all ages.

Supported by The Ministry of Culture, People’s Republic of China

Sponsored by

Photo: Youngmo Choi

‘brilliant visual imagination and wit... one is never quite prepared for the magic wrought by Ms. Ahn.’ The New York Times

Princess Bari

Friday 19 – Sunday 21 August 7.30pm The Edinburgh Playhouse Tickets from £10 eif.co.uk/bari Eun-Me Ahn Company Eun-Me Ahn Choreographer When the Queen bears him a seventh daughter instead of a longed for son, the King throws the child into the sea. A 16 year-old Bari is told the truth about her identity as a princess and journeys to her father’s kingdom, facing many trials and adventures on the way.

With elaborate and brightly coloured costumes, and great energy and acrobatic skill from the dancers, Princess Bari is a scintillating and highly original piece of dance theatre and storytelling from one of Korea’s most exciting contemporary choreographers.

Please note this show contains partial nudity.

Sponsored by

Supported by

Song of the Earth Photo: Nisbet and Wylie

Scottish Ballet

Friday 26 – Sunday 28 August 7.30pm The Edinburgh Playhouse Tickets from £12 eif.co.uk/scottishballet New Work (2011) by Jorma Elo, World Premiere Song of the Earth (1965) by Kenneth MacMillan Royal Scottish National Orchestra Sian Edwards Conductor Scotland’s national ballet company presents a stunning double bill of contemporary ballet from Scottish choreographic genius Kenneth MacMillan and rising international star Jorma Elo. MacMillan’s Song of the Earth is set to Mahler’s beautiful song cycle Das Lied von der Erde performed by mezzo soprano Katarina Karnéus, tenor Peter Wedd and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Jorma Elo is creating this exciting new work for Scottish Ballet featuring Mozart’s First Violin Concerto and Double Sextet by Steve Reich.

Supported through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festival’s Expo Fund

Photo: Uma Dhanwatey

‘Superbly sensuous…’

The Hindu

´ Sriyah

Friday 26, Saturday 27 & Monday 29 August 8.00pm Sunday 28 August 3.00pm King’s Theatre, Edinburgh Tickets from £12 eif.co.uk/sriyah The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble transports you to the ornately carved surroundings of a traditional Indian temple with their vibrantly coloured costumes and fluid, sensuous movements. ´ Sriyah is a specially selected programme of works created by the company over the past decade, showcasing some of the finest Indian classical dance styles, including Kathak, Odissi and Bharatnatyam, and live traditional music.

A beautiful, delicate and joyous demonstration of the centuries-old dance traditions that are still alive today in India.

Supported by

Photo: cie ea sola

Drought and Rain (re-creation 2011)

Thursday 1 – Saturday 3 September 8.00pm King’s Theatre, Edinburgh Tickets from £12 eif.co.uk/drought Ea Sola These women did not fight, they had their voices alone as their weapon.

Drought and Rain features a group of elderly women from the north of Vietnam who, when facing the enemy during the war, were not armed with guns. Rather, they sang traditional songs to comfort the soldiers on the front line.

French Vietnamese choreographer Ea Sola uses hypnotic, graceful movements and gestures, singers and live music to create an intimate, powerful and bittersweet account of the human legacy of war with performers who lived through it.

A co-production with Napoli Teatro Festival, Italy and Sadler’s Wells, London.

Photo: Lois Greenfield

Awaiting for new image

Re-Triptych

Thursday 1 – Saturday 3 September 7.30pm The Edinburgh Playhouse Tickets from £10 eif.co.uk/retriptych Shen Wei Dance Arts New York based Shen Wei was lead choreographer for the opening ceremony at the 2010 Beijing Olympics. He takes inspiration from Tibet, Cambodia and his native China and uses breathtaking movement, music and visuals to create this trilogy of contemporary dance.

Re- (I), set to mesmeric traditional Tibetan chants, draws on Shen Wei’s time spent on the dizzying heights of the Tibetan plateau.

Field recordings from Cambodian villages and temples, indigenous folk music and John Tavener’s Tears of an Angel provide the soundtrack for Re(II), propelling the dancers into fluid and dynamic action.

Re- (III) celebrates China’s vast mix of cultural identities and fast paced lifestyle, as dancers vibrate with kinetic energy, driven by David Lang’s fizzing electronic soundscape.

Please note this show contains partial nudity.

Supported by The Embassy of the United States of America, London

Book your Festival tickets eif.co.uk 0131 473 2000 Young people and students – half price now!

Get 50% off tickets to all performances at this year’s Festival.

Applies to under 18s and all students in full time education.

Are you under 26? Tickets for only £8 on the day Pay only £8 on the day for selected performances, for everyone 26 years old and under. Tickets available on the day in person from Hub Tickets or at the venue. Proof of age is required.

Standby – half price From Wednesday 3 August 50% off all tickets for senior citizens, unemployed people, Young Scot, Equity and MU card holders.

Access discounts Wheelchair users, people with severe mobility difficulties, or with visual or hearing impairments can buy tickets in the area of the venue most appropriate to their needs for the lowest (unrestricted view) ticket price. Your companion’s ticket will be free. Dedicated access booking: 0131 473 2089.

Charity No. SC004694

Front cover: The Peony Pavilion Photo: Liu Yang