Edinburgh International Festival 2018 – pushing the boundaries

This year The Edinburgh International Festival will have a new venue at Leith Theatre alongside the rather more established homes at the Usher Hall, The Queen’s Hall, the Lyceum, The King’s Theatre, The Hub, Church Hill Theatre, The Studio, The Edinburgh Playhouse …oh and not forgetting The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

 

Since Fergus Linehan took over as Director of the Festival some three festivals ago. By now we have become used to his innovative spirit along with his quiet but determined Irish way. We interview him here.

And we have a video interview about all that will be good for Edinburgh here :

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This year is no different. Innovation is sprinkled throughout the programme along with some solid offerings that are familiar.

There is to be a brand new venue at the slightly dilapidated, but perfectly serviceable, Leith Theatre (still due for a revamp but that needs money first).  And the festival down in Leith Light on the Shore will be something a bit different. There will be music by Edinburgh composer Anna Meredith (more about her in a minute), music from Mogwai, Karine Polwart, Django Django, Lau, King Creosote, Neu Reekie! andHidden Door.

This will bring together bands and artist to celebrate the wonderful array of Scottish popular music. It will encompass all musical types across the decades and will run alongside the National Museum of Scotland’s new exhibition Rip It Up. This will narrate the story of Scottish pop music down the years and runs from 22 June till 25 November.

This is only one series of events in a programme packed with all kinds of goodies from Waiting for Godot to Nicola Benedetti, and a restating of David Greig and Gordon McIntyre’s musical comedy Midsummer.

And The Palace of Holyroodhouse? Well there is to be an open air dance event which will involve 500 people, and it will be free for everyone to go along and watch.

This is a collaboration between the EIF and Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris and will draw on themes of identity migration, connection and hope to mark the end of the First World War. This will provide a part of the programme for the Edinburgh International Culture Summit on 22 August at 6.15pm.  It is commissioned by 14-18 NOW who are involved in the commissioning of WWI Centenary Art Commissions. They were also behind the Dazzle Ship which docked in Leith as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival. 

The centenary of the end of WWI and Scotland’s Year of Young People are two central themes which course through the festivalprogramme too.

The 2018 Edinburgh International Festival really does have something for everyone.

Edinburgh International Festival – Booking opens for everyone on 24 March 2018. If you are a Friend of the Festival then you will be able to book from Saturday 17 March 2018.

More details on the website.