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In the spirit As the programme is launched for this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, we cast an eye over the highlights Words: Anna Millar

S pirit and ambition: just two of the words used by EIF director Jonathan Mills to describe this year’s festival programme. Boasting a large contingent from the opposite side of the globe, as well as a roster of home-grown talent, this year’s line-up welcomes theatre from North, South and Central America, dance from the Pacific Rim and opera from Australia and Central America.

In theatre, Elevator Repair Service present a world premiere of Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, the tale of young Americans journeying across Europe looking for redemption; closer to home, the National Theatre of Scotland showcases Alistair Beaton’s Caledonia directed by Anthony Neilson. Other highlights include Vieux Carre from EIF favourites The Wooster Group and the welcome return of Lee Breuer with The Gospel at Colonus. As part of the opera strand, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess will be sung in English in a multi-media

production by the Opera de Lyon while The Orchestra of Scottish Opera will present Puccini’s La fanciulla del West. In dance, prepare yourself for Mau, with choreography from Samoan Lemi Ponifasio, as well as the marvellous Alonzo King Lines Ballet, who will present two pieces. Across at the Queen’s Hall works from North and South American and Australasian composers will be played by some of Europe’s masters, including solo performances from Caracas-born Edicson Ruiz on the double bass and young up-and-comer Jonathan Biss on piano. Other highlights include violinist Midori who makes her festival debut with a programme of Beethoven, Brahms and more look out to for her collaboration with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, also on the programme. A concert of John Adams’ El Nino opens proceedings.

EIF runs from 13 Aug–5 Sep, www.eif.co.uk

GLASGOW VS EDINBURGH The gloves have come off as, in the next issue of The List, we finally decide which is better: Glasgow or Edinburgh. At www.list.co.uk/GvsE you can leave your reasons for why you

think the Dear Green Place is better than Auld Reekie, or vice versa. The best reasons will be published next issue, with the writer of the very best entry for each city receiving a free night out in their favourite locale. Get slanging!

5 Things. . . COPY CATS? As Tarantino is sued over Kill Bill we re-cap on five alleged rip-offs

1 Avatar A pair of Soviet fantasy

writers, a Vancouver restaurant-owner and the makers of a

2008 animated fantasy-adventure movie have all cried 'rip-off' so far.

2 Ian McEwan Strong similarities

between Atonement and Lucilla Andrews' 1977 autobiography

No Time For Romance were spotted in 2006. McEwan denies copying.

3 Elastica A love of English punk

backfired on the Brit-pop act when both Wire and The Stranglers sued for copying. The dispute was settled out of court.

4 The Lion King Disney have

denied similarities with Osamu Tezuka's 1950s anime series

Kimba the White Lion, though Disney critics point to many similar scenes.

5 Daft Punk Edwin Birdsong's 'Cola

Bottle Baby' and George Duke's 'I Love You More', among other samples, were used almost unchanged on 2001’s Discovery.

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MORE FESTIVAL NAMES ANNOUNCED

It seems T in the Park is the gift that just keeps on giving this year with Madness, Jamie T, Paloma Faith, Frank Turner, Kassidy, The Sunshine Underground and The Middle East all added to the line-up. Never ones to be caught standing on ceremony, RockNess also got in on the action, announcing Aussie electronic rockers Pendulum as their Friday night headliners. 18 Mar–1 Apr 2010 THE LIST 7