Sun 14 Aug 2005

The four chosen by National Theatre of Scotland to take up this opportunity are Carrie Cracknell, Graeme Maley, Matthew Lenton and Sandy Thompson.

They will have access to performances, masterclasses, workshops and talks given by Peter Stein, Jordi Milan, Arpad Schilling and Anthony Neilson. They will also have round table discussions and working breakfasts with these directors to gain further knowledge, debate and guidance from these diverse, renowned directors.

Carrie Cracknell is Artistic Director of Hush Productions, acclaimed for The Hush and Mobile Thriller on the Fringe. Graeme Maley is Artistic Director of LLT, Liverpool’s New Writing Theatre, previously Assistant Director of the Traverse Theatre. His successes include Brazil and Great Moments of Discovery. Matthew Lenton is Artistic Director and founder of Vanishing Point and has directed of co-directed all of their shows including Mancub and The Lost Ones. Sandy Thompson is Artistic Director of Poorboy whose productions include The Rules of Chinese Whispers and Bridgebuilders.

John Tiffany, Associate Director (New Writing) National Theatre of Scotland said “There has been a tradition of strong support for the development of playwrights in Scotland and it is important that the National Theatre takes a leading role in the creation of similar opportunities for Scotland’s directors.”

Brian McMaster, Festival Director said “Every year the Festival brings to Edinburgh some of the best and most highly regarded directors in the world. It is great to be able to give some of Scotland’s brightest young directors access to learn from and discuss their field with people like Peter Stein and Jordi Milan.”

ENDS

For more information please contact Susie Burnet or Jackie Westbrook in the Edinburgh International Festival Press Office 0131 473 2020, press@eif.co.uk

Carrie Cracknell – Artistic Director of Hush Productions

Following critical acclaim for directing The Hush for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Carrie developed the show for staging at the National Student Drama Festival (NSDF), the Ice Factory Festival (New York) and at the Battersea Arts Centre’s Octoberfest. Carrie trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2003, directing Sarah Kane’s 4.48 Psychosis and her own adaptation of Hamlet and Hamlet machine. She has recently spent three weeks training at The National Theatre Studio on their annual ‘Young Directors’ programme, and has also recently been awarded the prestigious Bruce Millar Prize for directors in Scotland, receiving a grant to continue to develop and train. Last year her production of Mobile Thriller was a huge hit on the Edinburgh Fringe and is being revived again this year.

Graeme Maley - Artistic Director of LLT, Liverpool’s New Writing Theatre

Currently directing The Doll Tower by Ronan O’Donnell. Assistant Director of the Traverse Theatre 99-00. Directing includes The Body of a Woman, Klink and Bang Iceland. Picasso’s Women Assembly Rooms Edinburgh Festival. Macbeth Lemon Tree Aberdeen. The Danny Crowe Show, Dundee Rep. Brazil, Latchmere Theatre London and Arches Glasgow. Great Moments of Discovery, Paines Plough. The Ballad of James II (reading) The Scottish Playwrights Studio.

Matthew Lenton – Artistic Director of Vanishing Point

Matthew is founder of Vanishing Point and has directed or co-directed all of the company's productions. Outside Vanishing Point, Matthew has directed for The Tron Theatre in Glasgow, The Traverse in Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where shows include The Visit, The Alchemist, The Mighty and The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol. As a writer he has been commissioned by LookOut Theatre Company. He is currently an acting tutor at the School of Opera at RSAMD.

Sandy Thompson - Artistic Director of Poorboy

Sandy has been involved in making promenade theatre, on and off, since Alan Lyddiard at Dundee Rep convinced her it was a good idea nearly 20 years ago. Her first memory of creating site specific theatre is climbing into the centre of what looked like a ten foot high cotton reel in the Hydrotech yard in Montrose Docks and singing “Proud Mary” to her Dad, at the age of 11. Poorboy’s productions include The Rules of Chinese Whispers and Bridgebuilders.

Peter Stein directs David Harrower’s new play Blackbird at the King’s Theatre, 15 – 24 August.

Jordi Milan directs Nuts CocoNuts at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall from 15 August – 3 September. Sponsored by Standard Life

Arpad Schilling directs The Seagull in Royal Bank at the Hub, 19 – 22 August.

Anthony Neilson directs The Death of Klinghoffer, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 23, 25, 27,29 August.

Hub Tickets 0131 473 2000

www.eif.co.uk