Kneehigh’s Brief Encounter and Sylvie Guillem in PUSH will headline at this year’s Festival.

Melbourne Festival have made an early announcement of two new events forming part of the 2013 program: Kneehigh Theatre’s adaptation of Noël Coward’s classic romantic drama Brief Encounter, which has seen hit seasons in the West End and Broadway; and the Melbourne exclusive event PUSH, starring iconic dancer Sylvie Guillem and choreographer/dancer Russell Maliphant.

Kneehigh Theatre is one of Britain’s most exciting touring theatre companies, and has built a reputation for creating vigorous and popular theatre. Their production of Brief Encounter brings to life the famous railway station tea room in a funny and touching show interspersed with Coward’s typically debonair and witty songs. The show will also tour nationally, performing in Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, Wollongong and Perth.

With PUSH, one of the world’s most admired ballet dancers demonstrates the range and beauty of her art. Sylvie Guillem performs in a program of works by choreographer Russell Maliphant, with whom she also dances in an evening of solos and duets. PUSH is exclusive to Melbourne and comes to Australia after five star reviews at Sadler’s Wells in London and sold out shows around the world.

PUSH is...