The debate on how to transfer a theatre show to the small screen has been going on for a long time. In Italy it has become the basis for an international festival, the 13th edition of which will run May 28-31 in the seaside resort of Riccione.

In its previous editions, Riccione TTVV Teatro-Televisione-Video hosted internationally acclaimed actors, performers and directors such as Luca Ronconi, Peter Stein, Dario Fo, Peter Sellars, Harold Pinter and Raul Ruiz.

The 1998 programme features some of the best dance, drama and opera video productions from all over the world, and will host recent works by artists such as Sally Potter, Atom Egoyam, Margareth William and Mike Figgis.

The highlights of the programme include a tribute to the English director and choreographer Matthew Bourne, with the showing of Peter Mumford's filming of his award-winning Broadway-bound Swan Lake, an exhibition of drawings and photos by Julian Beck, a showing of BBC produced Callas Passion, filmed by Gerard Caillat and Guy Seligmann inside the Royal Opera House in London, and an interview to Patrice Cherau, produced by the French television channel "Arte".

A special section of the festival will be devoted to the renewed interest of Rai, the Italian Broadcasting Corporation, in the theatre: chief executives will talk about its new educational programmes, such as "Milleunteatro", in which a troupe films various rehearsals of a theatre show and then edit them in a 30 minutes special report. Recently, Rai has also been involved in the creation of special events, such as the broadcasting of Nobel Prize laureate Dario Fo's latest show, which was seen by over 2 million viewers. Further information on the 13th edition of Riccione TTVV is available calling +39 541 69.33.84.

--By Stefano Curti
Italy Correspondent