A NEW production of Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt is to be one of the major theatrical productions of next year's Edinburgh International Festival.
Starring Scottish actor James McArdle in the title role, the play will be a lavish re-creation of the heroic journey of the Danish character written by Ibsen in 1867.
Described as the "centrepiece" of the 2019 festival theatre programme, it is a co-production with the National Theatre, and has been written for the stage by the acclaimed writer David Hare.
It has been re-named Peter Gynt for the new show, and will feature a large ensemble cast led by McArdle, who is known for his role in playing James I in Rona Munro's James Plays, which debuted in 2014.
READ MORE: James McArdle on his role in Angels in America
In Ibsen's version, Peer Gynt follows the journey of its hero from his mountain home to other lands in a story which spans decades. In Hare's version, the festival says, he "kidnaps Ibsen’s most famous hero and runs away with him into the 21st century, where he’s propelled into a free-wheeling world of music, dance, poetry, weddings, coronations, trolls and two-headed children."
Fergus Linehan, artistic director of the EIF, said: "We’re thrilled to announce Peter Gynt for the 2019 International Festival, the centrepiece production of our theatre programme next year.
"This is the first time we’ve worked with the National Theatre since presenting The James Plays in partnership with them in 2014, which of course also starred James McArdle.
"It’s fantastic to be working together again on a major new production of this scale."
Hare is a renowned playwright and theatre and film director, with works such as Plenty, Racing Demon and The Blue Room
The story of Peer Gynt was also staged by Dundee Rep and the National Theatre of Scotland in 2007-9, in an award-winning show.
McArdle, from Glasgow, recently starred in the leading role of Louis in the National Theatre’s Broadway revival of Angels in America, and soon to be seen in cinemas in Josie Rourke’s Mary Queen of Scots.
READ MORE: James McArdle interview
Peter Gynt will see McArdle working with Hare and director Jonathan Kent again: they worked on the Young Chekhov season at Chichester Festival Theatre and National Theatre, a role which won the actor the Ian Charleson Award.
His performance in Angels in America has received positive reviews in London and New York, with Olivier and Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor.
Peter Gynt opens in the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre in July 2019, before transferring to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre for the International Festival in August.
The Edinburgh International Festival programme launches in March 2019.
The 2019 International Festival will run from Friday 2 – Monday 26 August.
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