DANCE: EVENT OF THE WEEK

Cullberg Ballet Mon to Wed, Fri

Edinburgh Playhouse

All over Europe, except in Britain, Swedish choreographer Mats Ek is regarded as one of the best there is. This is a chance to catch up with his work, with three programmes brought to the Edinburgh Festival by the Cullberg Ballet from Stockholm. Two are Ek's very personal re-workings of familiar classics: Giselle as a girl driven to the madhouse by her careless rich seducer; and Sleeping Beauty putting herself to sleep with a junkie's needle. But these aren't just clever ideas; they're a way of giving old themes new life.

Ek is also showing a three-part mixed bill exploring contrasted emotions with music by Henryk Gorecki and Arvo Part.

Undoubtedly the year's most original dance offerings.

Edinburgh Playhouse (0131-473 2000) Giselle, Mon to Wed 7.30pm.

Mixed bill Fri 7.30pm.

The Sleeping Beauty, 31 Aug to 2 Sept 7.30pm