Edinburgh International Festival has announced a programme of talks by high profile performers for its Conversations series in partnership with BBC Arts Online featuring dancer Sylvie Guillem, theatre and film actor Juliette Binoche and theatre-makers Robert Lepage and Simon McBurney.
Broadcasters Deborah Bull and Jamie MacDougall will present this series of intimate conversations before a small studio audience which will be streamed live at bbc.co.uk/arts.
Deborah Bull is Director, Culture at King’s College London and has presented a wide range of programmes across both television and radio. In the past, she was a Principal with The Royal Ballet and Creative Director of the Royal Opera House.
Scottish singer Jamie MacDougall has been the voice of classical music for BBC Radio Scotland since 2001 and a regular presenter on BBC Radio 3.
Festival Director Fergus Linehan said, “I am delighted with our line-up of Conversations this year presented in a brand new series with BBC Arts online. To me these artists are fascinating and innovative individuals both on and away from the stage and these special occasions will allow each of them to talk intimately to a world-wide audience.”
Director of BBC Arts Jonty Claypole added, "Edinburgh International Festival is one of the greatest arts festivals in the world, renowned for its collaborations with the very best artists and performers. BBC Arts is thrilled to participate in these Conversations that will give an insight into those shows for those in and beyond Edinburgh who are unable to see them in person."
Sylvie Guillem will perform Life In Progress at EIF as part of her final world tour, Juliette Binoche will play Antigone in Ivo van Hove's production of Sophocles' famous play, Robert Lepage will present the European première of one-man show 887 and Simon McBurney's The Encounter will première in Edinburgh.
Free tickets for the conversations will be made available exclusively online through a ballot with registration on eif.co.uk and Twitter. Winners will be advised closer to the event.