Cate Blanchett, Martin Crimp, Philip Glass, Robert Wilson et al. Set for London’s Cultural Olympiad in 2012

An initial lineup of productions has been announced for the finale of London’s Cultural Olympiad, according to a report on the website for the U.K. magazine The Stage. The festival will run from June 21, 2012 until the last day of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 9, 2012.

Cate Blanchett will star in a production of Martin Crimp’s new adaptation of Botho Strauss’ Gross und Klein. The piece will be presented by The Sydney Theatre Company and has been co-commissioned by the London 2012 Festival and the Barbican.

Another offering will be Philip Glass and Robert Wilson’s Einstein on the Beach, which will be mounted for a new international tour, including the first performances staged in the UK.

The Olympiad will also feature a new opera from Damon Albarn, Rufus Norris, and Jamie Hewlett, which has been commissioned by London 2012 along with partners Manchester International Festival (MIF) and English National Opera. The piece will bow at MIF in 2011 before being performed in London in 2012.

Offered alongside the Festival will be the Royal Shakespeare Company’s World Shakespeare Festival, to run April 23 – September 9. Among the offerings in this event will be a production of Romeo and Juliet by the Iraqi Theatre Company and a site-specific production of Coriolanus by National Theatre Wales.