Performers descend on Auckland

The Bridge Project actors: (Left to right) Josh Hamilton, Richard Easton, Ethan Hawke, Simon Russell Beale, Rebecca Hall and Sinead Cusack.

From City Scene, published on 22 March, 2009.

THE EDGE^Ž International Arts Season will allow New Zealanders and international visitors a rare opportunity to see some of the most well-respected performers in the world on our stages.

This multi-genre season will encompass theatre, contemporary dance and ballet, and classical, world and popular music. Five companies will perform six shows at the Aotea Centre's ASB Theatre, between April and October, which is proudly supported by Auckland City Council.

The first company to visit Auckland is The Bridge Project, which will bring a cast of famous British and American actors, to perform in two classic plays - William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale and Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard.

Directed by Sam Mendes (the Academy Award winning director of American Beauty, and husband of actor Kate Winslet), the star-studded cast includes Ethan Hawke (Before Sunset, Reality Bites, Academy Award nominee for best supporting actor in Training Day), Simon Russell Beale (described by UK newspaper The Independent as "the greatest stage actor of his generation") and Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Frost/Nixon).

In other events, PUSH pairs legendary French dancer, Sylvie Guillem, with one of the UK's most acclaimed dance artists, Russell Maliphant, on stage.

A Gala Season with the Leading Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet will then take to the stage in July; followed by An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin - two of Broadway's greatest and most respected stars; and finally concluding with Piccolo Teatro di Milano - the renowned Italian theatre company - who will be performing HARLEQUIN Servant of Two Masters.

Now in its third season, THE EDGE^Ž International Arts Season contributes strongly to the cultural life of Auckland as a vibrant city with world-class events for both New Zealanders and international visitors.

Book tickets or find out more online or phone 0800 BUYTICKETS.