sf} - i i The Man Who Would Be King . . . or at least president of an independent Scotland. Sean Connery makes a well-timed return to Edinburgh for the closing gala of the Film

Festival just before that all-important Devolution vote. In John Huston’s epic version of the Rudyard Kipling adventure, he stars opposite

Michael Caine as British Army officer Daniel Dravot, who teams up with

colleague and fellow scam artist Peachy Carneham (Michael Caine) in I i

order to take over as ruler of a small province in Afghanistan. The N9th9l'and5 |98de contemporary dance Interesting parallels abound: Connery/Dravot is treated like a god, frees troupe WOU'd I'ke YOU TO meet the'lthlld SUb-

the country from the stuffiness of the English Empire next door, and troupe Neidfv’r'lands Dims Theater “' l? The Hagufi?‘ celebrates in style with a curry. Unfortunately, at this point, the based QIUIT'IS mature arm) though We 8” NDTS similarity disappears up its own Khyber Pass, limbs, its as supple as you like. NDT Ill follows NDT The Man Who Would Be King (Film Festival) Odeon Cinema, 467 8855, and NOT (The JUnlOr company) to make 'tS UK _

24 Aug, 5pm 8, 9.30pm, £70 ({4}. debut at this year’s lnternational Festival. Collectively

entitled Tears Of Laughter, the bill features five pieces by visionary choreographer liri Kylian, including No Sleep Till Dawn Of Day (pictured) which is performed to an a cappella lullaby from the

- Solomon Islands, and evokes the remote, calming Anna WIng atmosphere of the South Sea. The artist formerly known as Lou Tears Of Laughter (International Festival) NOT IN, Beale out of EastEnders is still Edinburgh Playhouse, 4 73 2000, 28—30 Aug, treading the boards in her eighties. [5—2520

Currently appearing in Blue Heart, a new double-bill by leading English playwright Caryl Churchill, Wing can be seen this week at the Traverse Theatre. It’s a long way from Albert Square (which she left in 1988) but this being the Fringe Walford’s Uber-matriarch may still be up for a spot of 'who's the father (’Chelle7)’.

Blue Heart (Fringe) Out Of Joint/Royal Court (Venue 75) 228 r ,3. 7404, until 30Aug (not 22, 25) times vary, £70 (£6).

The Cherry Orchard

Peter Stein’s magnificent interpretation of The Cherry Orchard arrives at last this week. Festival director Brian McMaster, who once described it as ’the greatest piece of theatre I'd ever seen,’ has tried twice before to bring it to Edinburgh, but an extended run at the Salzburg Festival thwarted his most recent attempt. Chekhov’s bittersweet last play will be performed in German, but a combination of surtitles, top-notch acting and Karl-Ernst Hermann's sumptuous set designs will ensure you don’t miss out on the chuckles or the sniffles.

The Cherry Orchard (International Festival) Salzburg Festival Productions, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 4 73 2000, 28—30 Aug, 7pm, £5—f25.

22—28 Aug 1991m£u319