KEY POINTS:
They've walked the red carpets of Hollywood, danced for royalty and
performed to packed houses on Broadway - and now they're headed to Auckland for The Edge's 2009 International Arts Season.
Five international companies will visit New Zealand between April and
October, performing six shows at the Aotea Centre.
Two-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke will head Downunder with The Bridge Project - a theatre collective of British and American actors who will perform two plays, directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes.
It is unconfirmed if Mendes will travel to New Zealand with the tour, but if he does, he could be a double Oscar winner by the time he reaches Auckland. His upcoming feature Revolutionary Road - starring his wife Kate Winslet - is tipped as an early Oscar favourite for next year's awards.
Comprised of Simon Russell Beale, Sinead Cusack, Richard Easton, Rebecca Hall, Josh Hamilton and Hawke, the collective will perform Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard and Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale.
Criminal Minds star and acclaimed Broadway performer Mandy
Patinkin will join forces with fellow award-winner Patti LuPone for a one-off evening of musical theatre on July 29.
Acclaimed French dancer Sylvie Guillem joins Britain's Russell Maliphant in April for a two-night season of Push, while the Paris Opera
Ballet brings a selection of classical and contemporary works to Auckland in early July.
Finally, Italy's Piccolo Teatro di Milano will perform Carlo Goldoni's
18th century comedy Harlequin: Servant of Two Masters over five nights in October.
