Following on from the success of our Iranian Theatre Seminar at the Edinburgh Festivals 2008, Visiting Arts, in partnership with the British Council, will once again be welcoming Iranian theatre artists to the Scottish capital for a four-day collaborative workshop with UK practitioners, focusing on the adaptation of myth for contemporary performance. Contemporary Myths will take place at Theatre Workshop, Edinburgh, from 17-20 August, in the context of the Edinburgh Festivals 2009.

The programme brings together UK and Iranian practitioners to share their practice through seminars, facilitated workshop sessions, and open sessions. Here, the artists can practically explore new ideas and potential collaborations. The artists will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue about this genre of theatre making in their respective cultural contexts, asking critical questions about the relevance of myth today, and unpicking how nationally or culturally-specific stories resonate in an international, global context.

The three Iranian theatre artists confirmed to participate are: Kumars Moradi, director of Tajrobeh Theatre Group; Nasim Samani, co-director and dramaturg of Don Quixote Theatre Group; and Mohammad Aghebati, director of Leev Theatre Group. These artists will spend a week at the Edinburgh Festivals and, in addition to participating in the Contemporary Myths workshop, will spend time seeing work, promoting their current productions at the Visiting Arts Producers' Breakfast on 20 August, and networking with other artists, promoters and cultural professionals from all over the world.

UK participants include Tim Supple, co-director of Dash Arts, and Graham McLaren, artistic director of Theatre Babel.

For more information about Contemporary Myths and/or Visiting Arts' work with Iran please contact: sholeh.johnston@visitingarts.org.uk

For information on booking a place to attend the Visiting Arts Producers' Breakfast on 20 August please contact: lea.chikhani@visitingarts.org.uk