The Belfast Festival's new director, Sean Doran, has produced a strong programme which is well spread over the three weeks of the festival, starting on Friday. Theatrical highlights include Silviu Puercarete and the National Theatre of Craiova's thrilling production of Phaedra; Pete Postlewaite and the Bristol Old Vic's production of Macbeth. Opera Theatre Company presents My Love, My Umbrella and the Reduced Shakespeare Company presents its hilarious, irreverent abridged version of The Bible. Jazz fans are spoiled for choice with The Art Ensemble of Chicago at the Ulster Hall on Friday and Ricky Ford two hours later at the Guinness Spot.