Edinburgh Festivals

Beyond the Book Fest

4 Sep 2008

Following their success this summer, The Edinburgh International Book Festival will present a special autumn event with award-winning Australian author David Malouf. Winner of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, his book Remembering Babylon was shortlisted…

Fringe ticket sales drop

4 Sep 2008

The Fringe took a double knock last week when figures revealed ticket sales were down by almost 10% this year - the first fall in eight years. Competition from the Olympics, box office problems and bad weather were all noted as factors. Fringe director…

Unseen China

edfest.tv - video

1 Sep 2008

600 documentary photographs taken by 250 Chinese photographers, reflecting daily life in China against the background of modernisation, radical cultural upheaval and urban economic boom over 50 years

Kate Adie

edfest.tv - video

1 Sep 2008

What attracts some people to danger? Kate Adie's new book 'Into Danger' is full of personal insight

Barrie Appleby

edfest.tv - video

1 Sep 2008

Barrie Appleby's comic illustrations have been enjoyed by generations of children. Meet the artist behind Dennis the Menace and Roger the Dodger and watch as your favourite characters come to life!

Jihad: Inner Struggle

edfest.tv - video

1 Sep 2008

Jihad: Inner Struggle tells the story of the similarities, differences and prejudices that exist, as two people from completely different cultural perspectives get to know each other

Kerieva

edfest.tv - video

1 Sep 2008

Scottish-based Romani musician and singer Kerieva provides a deliciously mesmerizing blend of Gypsy jazz, ska, rhumba, cabaret and traditional sounds

ReSeArch: RSA Residencies for Scotland

edfest.tv - video

1 Sep 2008

Highlighting the work of RSA Residency participants who have completed RSA opportunities in 2007/08

Scotland: A Changing Nation

edfest.tv - video

1 Sep 2008

From the First World War to the present day, Scotland: A Changing Nation traces the varied experiences of people living and working in Scotland through first-hand accounts, significant objects and film

I Went To The House But Did Not Enter

edfest.tv - video

1 Sep 2008

Three iconic 20th century texts, the theatrical genius of Heiner Goebbels and the virtuosic vocal talents of the Hilliard Ensemble, specialists in both medieval and contemporary music

Deca Dance

edfest.tv - video

1 Sep 2008

Highly energized, daring and humorous dance from Israel's Batsheva Dance Company in a programme of works specially devised to showcase the breadth of choreographer Ohad Naharin's work

Fringe Hangover: Bad Comedy

Adam Fraser's festival blog

29 Aug 2008

It seems appropriate to muse, just as the last drinks of August are being cleared up and that bloody gormless purple cow is being packed up again for another year, on the latest visitor to the party. Taking to the stage in Chambers Street’s Jazz Bar on…

Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray

Effective storytelling makes for an adaptation with impact

29 Aug 2008

In the closing moments of Dorian Gray, a bright light shines out into the audience, temporarily blinding us. Something most people aren't used to, but those who spend their life in the spotlight are all too familiar with. It's this -- the trappings of…

I Went To The House But I Did Not Enter

Musical reflection of literary masters

29 Aug 2008

There has been no shortage of theatre that examines the disaffection and atomisation of modern life over the last century, but it’s less common to find a piece that selects four noted 20th century authors to explore the theme, then translates their work…

One Small Step

edfest.tv - video

28 Aug 2008

Check your oxygen, adjust your spacesuit and buckle up for the biggest mission of your life…. to the moon.

Edinburgh Fringe director resigns

Jon Morgan steps down following troubled year for festival

28 Aug 2008

The director of the Edinburgh Fringe is to step down after just over one year in the post.

Matt Kirshen

edfest.tv - video

28 Aug 2008

Last year Matt went to America and got a bit famous. Don't miss his triumphant return to obscurity.

Soweto Gospel Choir

edfest.tv - video

28 Aug 2008

The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music.

Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller

edfest.tv - video

28 Aug 2008

A rare chance to experience the work of one of the most internationally respected artist partnerships, Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller.

Guy Masterson

edfest.tv - video

28 Aug 2008

Guy Masterson provides an insight into the exiting world of theatre.

P.I.E.

edfest.tv - video

28 Aug 2008

I was working on a case… because I didn't have a desk. There was a tap on the window… that's a funny place to put a tap.

The 30 Year Itch

edfest.tv - video

27 Aug 2008

A stand-up show about growing up, moving on, flaring up and flaking out!

The English Gents

edfest.tv - video

27 Aug 2008

One of the highlights from 'La Clique', The English Gents demonstrate their impressive acrobatic feats of strength and endurance.

Ruhe

edfest.tv - video

27 Aug 2008

A recital of beautiful Schubert song is brutally interrupted by people who want to talk about their voluntary enlistment in the SS.

Richard Mackney's edfest.tv show

edfest.tv - video

27 Aug 2008

Mackney waffles on awards with the likes of Bruce Dessau, Arnold Brown, Tom Wrigglesworth, Tom Allen, Jenny Éclair, Steve Hall and Scott Capurro before presenting the first ever edfest.tv Performers' Award - quite literally the coolest prize in town…

Kiddy-Fiddler on the Roof

edfest.tv - video

27 Aug 2008

At Townsville Comprehensive, teacher Arnold Finkler is falsely accused of molestation and chased by an enraged mob of parents.

Scavengers

edfest.tv - video

27 Aug 2008

100 clues. Nine hours. Register a team and set out in search of fame, glory and £2,000 cash.

Richard Mackney's edfest.tv show

edfest.tv - video

27 Aug 2008

Arnold Brown, Scott Capurro, Will & Greg, Tom Wrigglesworth, Paul Tonkinson, Dara O'Briain and the Wau Wau Sisters all risk the chair this week. It's just as arse-licking as Parkie but for a fraction of the cost.

Arirang Party

Mighty percussion and dance

27 Aug 2008

Arirang Party turns the volume up to a level that would definitely disturb the neighbours. It’s a shame that much of the mighty din comes from a recorded soundtrack, albeit an often beautiful and curvaceous one that emits Andean and Celtic vibes.

Eye to the future at the end of the line for Edinburgh Festival 2008

Alan Bissett's festival blog

27 Aug 2008

Ah, the end of the Fringe. Goodbye rain. Goodbye bright-eyed young hopefuls thrusting flyers. Goodbye posh accents. How was it for you? Depending on who you talk to, plays this year have been too bleak/political/teenage. Given the gloomy political…

Terry Saunders

26 Aug 2008

In the dank bowels of the ghost-ridden Baby Belly 3, where it rains indoors no matter what it’s doing outside (though, let's face it, chances are it’ll be raining there too), two shows from likeably nervy individuals addressed obsessions with varying…

Weights

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

1978: a gunshot in a gritty LA bar. A life changed forever. Lynn Manning's poetic, musical, mesmerising, pulverising 2007 hit returns.

Back to the Future: The Pantomime

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

'1.21 gigawatts? But Marty… the only thing that can generate that amount of electricity is… a pantomime!'

Shoppers Without Borders

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

When an East Londoner meets a West Coast American they discover that when it comes to debt, marriage is about learning to share.

Tracey Emin

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

A unique chance to see the first major retrospective of one of Britain's most celebrated and controversial artists.

Call Me If You Feel Too Happy

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

Bipolar is a buzzword in celebrity chic, but what if you're not on the A-List?

Torn Out Pages

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

With her pants round her ankles and about to lose her virginity at the grand old age of 39, Elaine Reid has a flashback.

Tom and Sal

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

…want to be Richard and Judy. Not helped by their incapable production team, lack of guests and features.

Esther Rantzen

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

Esther Rantzen OBE embraces the philosophy of her self-help book, 'If Not Now, When?'.

Martin Bell

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

The former war correspondent and politician argues that on the issue of public trust in public life, New Labour's record was unforgivably negative.

Simon Hoggart

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

Simon Hoggart talks about his new book The Hands of History with tales about Tony Blair, John Prescott, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

David Benson

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

David Benson, who first rose to fame following his debut show about Kenneth Williams, returns to the role of Noel Coward whom he portrayed in the BBC series Goodnight Sweetheart.

Fringe hangover: Where have you been?

Adam Fraser's festival blog

26 Aug 2008

That’s it. The Fringe is over. At this point, the hard-working critic, performer, theatre-goer or box office drone might wish to find a darkened room, take a moment to collect their thoughts and let the adrenalin settle, and unpick the events of the…

Barry Cryer

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

Welcome back the Sanatogen snorting comedy legend Cryer and his multi-talented musical carer Ronnie Golden.

Class Enemy

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

In a run-down schoolroom a group of foul-mouthed high school students conduct their own lessons as they await teachers who never arrive.

Ruby Wax

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

Ruby Wax talks about the BBC's initiative 'Headroom' to encourage the public to look after their mental health.

Matthew Bourne’s Dorian Gray

edfest.tv - video

26 Aug 2008

New Adventures, Sadlers Wells and the Edinburgh International Festival present Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray freely adapted from Oscar Wilde's masterpiece.

Devil's Ship

Intriguing, atmospheric Iranian chiller

26 Aug 2008

This Iranian story, with a lurking subtext of supernatural horror, performed in Farsi with English subtitles by Bazi Theatre Company, features a group of women in a claustrophobic emotional vacuum. While the women rely on custom to get them through the…

365

Magical reflection on children in care

26 Aug 2008

The idea of a play about children in care might not immediately strike you as the an entertaining festival night out, but overcome your prejudices. Vicky Featherstone’s production of David Harrower’s script for the NTS touches upon the issues that…

Omid Djalili

26 Aug 2008

No one can really deny the lofty position that Omid Djalili now occupies in the British comedy world. Having begun in the Fringe wastelands a decade ago, he can pop by to do a week here fresh from a BBC1 Saturday night show deemed so successful by the…