THE arts and culture of the Middle East will be celebrated at this year’s 43rd Salisbury International Arts Festival.

The packed programme was unveiled at a launch event at Salisbury Arts Centre on Monday night.

Big names including John Cleese, Rory Bremner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra will also be making an appearance during the 16-day event, which runs from May 22 to June 6.

Festival director Toby Smith said: “Our starting point this year is the sunrise, continuing a fouryear journey tracing the passage of the sun from night to day. Our sun rises on the arts and culture of Middle Eastern lands, offering a rich mix of music of all kinds, words, exhibitions and film.”

This year’s event will welcome artists from more than 20 nations as well as a variety of UK artists.

“The festival covers all the arts and has everything from classical music to stand up comedy and everything else in between,” added Toby. “We have the best of international work coming here.”

There will also be a commemoration of the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary with a Globe Theatre production of King John at Salisbury Cathedral.

The Maltings car park will be transformed into a crime scene as part of Betrayal: A Polyphonic Crime Drama, which combines music, dance and theatre.

City Encounters will fill every corner of the city centre with free street theatre, dance, circus and music for two days of fun-packed entertainment on Sunday, May 24 and Monday 25.

There is also plenty on offer for families including an adaptation of Arabian Nights by Story Pocket Theatre.

British-Iranian comic and actor Omid Djalili discusses his life story as told in his memoir Hopeful, where he reflects on his childhood and his life in show-business on May 31 at Salisbury Playhouse.

BAFTA award winning impressionist, comedian and writer Rory Bremner comes to the Playhouse on June 3, and there’s a chance to see comedy legend John Cleese, who will be discussing his best-selling autobiography So Anyway. An Audience with John Cleese is on June 6.

The festival is full to the brim with literary talks, music, films, poetry, opera, dance, comedy and exhibitions.

For the full list go to salisburyfestival.

co.uk. Booking opens for the general public on Tuesday (March 10). Festival Friends can book tickets now. To book go online or call the box office on 0845 241 9651.