They say three's a crowd, but at NEDERLANDS DANS THEATER it's the magic number. Words: Kelly Apter

It could almost be described as a .. V ’happening'. The combined forces of :és. Nederlands Dans Theater 1, 2 and 3, Sir Charles Mackerras and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, creating the piece de resistance of this year's International Festival. It's once in a My lifetime stuff, with the Australian conductor and Dutch dance sensations launching a visual and aural assault on the senses.

To see one of the world’s finest dance outfits accompanied by one of the world’s finest orchestras would be gift enough, but the treasure chest holds yet more jewels. Previous Festivals have ,x yielded performances from the three individual dance companies, but never all at the same time, and never all on the same stage. Originally choreographed in 1995, and featuring dancers from NOT 1, 2 and 3, the spectacular Arcimboldo has been re-vamped and re- worked, and forms part of the company's week-long

Festival programme. But there is a certain poignancy attached to all this joy. The event will also mark the end of Jiri Kylian's 25-year reign as artistic director, as he climbs into the back seat role of artistic advisor. Armed with a choreographic talent few can match, Kylian has created more than 50 works for the company since joining in 1975. But stunning dance moves aside, it is his incredible vision which marks him out as a groundbreaker. The only dance company in the world to have the foresight to create both a breeding ground for young talent with NOT 2, and a performance outlet for more mature dancers with NOT 3, it really is in a class all of its own. And at this year's Festival, we will be privy to what Kylian terms ‘the three dimensions of a dancer's life'. NOT 2 and NOT 3 (International) Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 473

2000, 29—30 Aug, 7.30pm, £5—£22.

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NOT 1 (International) Edinburgh Playhouse, 473 2000, 30-31 Aug, 7.30pm, £5-£37.

NDT1,NDT 2 and NOT 3

(International) Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 473 2000, 1-2 Sep, 7.30pm, £S-£26.

14 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 2-1 X~1;;;- -2 Sop 2000