CLOSE your eyes and think of France . . . in terms of the arts, among the first things that probably spring to mind are Matisse, Monet, Marcel Marceau and the maddeningly sexy gypsy Carmen.
These are stereotypical images of a nation from which the organisers of the French May festival have traditionally tried to move away.
In past years we have been treated to the wildly bizarre cast-iron installations of Bernar Venet, the dramatic lighting projects of Yann Kersale, assorted raves, and plenty of colourful examples of le pop art.
Yet, curiously, for this year's French May it is back to basics - in terms of budget as well as programming - and the line-up includes a 45-dancer version of Bizet's gypsy classic, an ambitious art show of Impressionism and post-Impressionism and a guest appearance by the master of mime himself.
'I hadn't really thought about it as a traditional programme,' said co-ordinator of French May 1999, Isabelle Regnier, who admitted she and her colleagues had been struggling to put together a quality programme with approximately half the budget of previous years.
'But I suppose if you look at the biggest items you would see three very good - and different - examples of French art.
