Au Fol Espoir

At the end of a mega month, with a huge backlog to expose from all the shows and stages, this post comes first for one reason. Watching the sheer event of the castaways of the Théatre du Soleil on their final night at Lowland Hall was my last knoll for August. With a few more days and a few more shows to go, I have myself been shipwrecked for any other show this month. Watching Ariane Mnouchkine gather up her troupe and launch them into four frantic hours of the most human and most literal théâtre, I know I have witnessed an unsurpassable spectacle.

The analysis is for the critics. I remain just bowled over and incredibly grateful to have attaneded something as monumental. Here are my images from shores of the Fol Espoir.

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Edinburgh International Festival - A New Year

Wednesday saw the launch of the programme for the EIF's 2012 Festival. I was invited back to shoot the launch photocall and file to the press.

As Spring is starting to shake the limbs of the city to life again, I had it forgotten after such a drawn out winter, that the festival is officially on the horizon. This winter in particular was so grey, I had just accepted there would never be a summer again. But now that the proof is all around (and I went to the shop in a t-shirt this morning just to check), I can't but get excited for August.

The EIF programme is particularly exciting this year and I cannot hide just a tinge of jealousy that I won't be on the front lines again this year. Pick up a brochure from the Hub and while you are at it, take a final look at my exhibition EIF: The Big Picture.

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Hanging On

All under way!

After all the recent talk of the frame, 34 brand new frames have just arrived for your viewing pleasure at The Hub, home of the Festival 11: The Big Picture.

This is the long anticipated culmination of my work with the EIF for the duration of the festival in August. This solo exhibition "lifts the lid" on all things EIF, but really it represents the cream of my image making and taking for a full-on august and weaves the subtle 24 day story of Edinburgh's most breathtaking festival.

A real struggle to edit down our selection. A huge thank you to all our Facebook voters. You are all welcome to come down and take a peak under the lid yourselves! The exhibition opens this Thursday 3rd November and remains so until next year.

Many hands

Make light work, as the proverb says.  Still the work required of this festival is only for the hardy. And hard work is not taken lightly.

It has been hypnotically fascinating to watch the machine of the Edinburgh International Festival come to full fruition. While I am only around as the photographer for the peak of action, it is easy to spot a year of hard work embedded in the frantic activity that is August. Artists and ambassadors from polar corners of the globe, full crews and sets and companies appearing in Edinburgh overnight by what seems like calm coincidence. As diverse a production as any one that appears on its stages. Diverse to its very core, it is easy to overlook the local hands that keep the show afloat.

Thanks for a brilliant festival.

Staff at the Usher Hall wait at the stage door as a performance closes

An instructor from the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble keeps time during a dance class

Wardrobe staff prepare the dancers point shoes behind the scenes at the National Ballet of Scotland

A dancer practices classical Indian dance positions at the Nritrygram dance class

Legendary artist Wu Hsing-kuo performs on stage as King Lear

BBC crew prepare the lighting for the Review Show with the Legendary Music of Rajestan

Wu Hsing-kuo and the First Minister of Taiwan

A Rajistani musician tunes up before a recital

Pyrovision fireworks crew prepare a week early in all conditions for the ultimate Sunday night display

A festival patron on a touch tour of 1001 Nights where visually or hearing impared are guided through a performence using touch and description

Melvyn Tan customises his piano to play a percussion duet for his performance

A performer of Ea Sola prepares the mat floor backstage before a show

Pianist Yefim Bronfman

 Shen Wei dancers warm up with slow breathing exercises before a morning dance class

A weaver at the Dovecot Heirlooms exhibition spins fine silk on a traditional loom

Sally Hobson, head of programme development with the festival

Jonathon Mills, director of the Edinburgh International Festival

Back in the fish tank

Some of the crew from The Wind up Bird Chronicle at the Kings Theatre

A few more visual updates from on and off the stage at the Edinburgh International Festival.

Semiramide at the Festival Theatre

 The Revenge of Prince Zi Dan at the Festival Theatre

1001 Nightsat the Lyceum Theatre

Princess Bari at the Playhouse Theatre

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