The German-born director’s previous production for the Festival (in 2005) —Blackbird by David Harrower and starring Roger Alam and Jodhi May — is enjoying a critically acclaimed run at London’s Albery.

While Troilus and Cressida — "a forceful attack on politics, brutality, vanity, war and double standards” - begins its Aug. 14–26 run at the King’s Theatre, Realism, a new play by Anthony Neilson and the first co-production between the EIF and the National Theatre of Scotland, will open at the Royal Lyceum Theatre.

International offerings include Long Life, performed by Latvia’s New Riga Theatre; an American Repertory production of Chekhov’s Three Sisters; and the world premiere of Platform, directed by Calixto Bieito and adapted by Bieito in collaboration with the author from Michel Houellebecq’s novel.

The 2006 Festival, which stages opera, dance, music and theatre, marks the final program by outgoing EIF artistic director Brian McMaster and runs from Aug. 13–Sept 3.

Booking for the Festival opens April 8.