Edinburgh Festivals

Into The Hoods

1 Aug 2007

One of the undisputed hits of last year’s Fringe is making a welcome return to Edinburgh.

Naked Portrait

1 Aug 2007

In contrast with the ‘nude’ figure in western art history, the naked portrait still manages to present a sometimes shocking and raw view of the sitter’s personality that reaches beyond their public façade.

Stonewall

9 Aug 2007

Doubtless huge progress has been made regarding gay rights in recent decades but there are still reports of gay people being persecuted across the world.

Simon Amstell

21 Aug 2006

Too many comedians blame their audience when gigs don’t dazzle and, while I genuinely sympathise, that doesn’t strike me as laudable professional conduct. But Simon Amstell really seems to have a problem with his punters. Because there’s quite a young…

Ballerina Who Loves a B-Boy

16 Aug 2007

Although it’s been crammed into a hotel function room better suited to the cringey frugging of a wedding disco, this gleeful little production is the most assured and exuberant of the cluster of Korean breakdance shows infesting the Fringe this…

Kids' events

23 Aug 2007

The last few days of the kids programme takes a walk on the dark side with scary-sounding events such as Night of the Living Horror (25 Aug, 6pm) which opens up a world of gothic terror for those aged ten plus, though Justin Somper and his Vampirates…

Charlize Theron

25 Jul 2006

Model, actress, animal lover and now producer, Charlize Theron is heading for Edinburgh to spill the beans on two new films she is currently producing. Is this the beginning of something even more beautiful, asks Paul Dale. The rise of Charlize…

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…

State of Matter

9 Aug 2007

The stark lighting and simple uniform of black tailcoats characterise the restraint that permeates this performance by Hereford’s 2FaCeD DaNcE Company. There is no narrative to this show, rather it is a collection of unrelated set pieces, the…

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

Seasick Steve

9 Aug 2007

Every now and then pop culture throws something into the public consciousness based solely on quality. It may not be fashionable, it’s not part of a new movement, it doesn’t fit into any scene, it’s just good. This year’s phenomenal anomaly is…

The Big Ugly Monster and the Little Stone Rabbit

1 Aug 2007

There are lots of monsters appearing at this year’s Fringe, but none so ugly as this one.

Debbie Does Dallas - The Musical

23 Aug 2007

There’s a very fine line between a send-up of a ropey cultural item and something that’s just plain ropey. Almost from its shrill opening bars it becomes crystal clear that Debbie Does Dallas – The Musical has crossed the line. The fundamental…

Robert Ryman

25 Jul 2006

Alexander Kennedy looks at the history of Minimalism in relation to an exhibition of Robert Ryman's white canvases from the early 1960s to the present day. Every minimalist painting is an uncompromising contradiction. The creative act appears to…

5 Questions - John Stezaker

1 Aug 2007

John Stezaker, who creates collages from images found in books, magazines and postcards, gives a brief insight into his Festival show

Zinédine Zidane, Portrait du 21ieme Siecle.

25 Jul 2006

It's a movie that spends its entire length in angry close up on one footballer throughout the full 90 minutes of a game. But if you reckon that sounds like a monumental bore draw, think again. In fact, argues Jason Solomons, it's the greatest football…

Josie Long

edfest.tv - video

8 Aug 2008

Full of intrigue like a museum of hand-annotated objects in glass-topped drawers collected by a victorian madman... Barry award nominee 2008 "Completely brilliant" (Metro).

Happy Mondays

23 Aug 2007

‘Hola!’ Shaun Ryder is just back from Spain, and has clearly been learning the language. In between shows leading up to next week’s T on the Fringe gig, though, the surprisingly sharp and decidedly affable Happy Mondays frontman is at home, ‘catching up…

Michael McIntyre

23 Aug 2007

Michael McIntyre has the look of someone your mother would like. Unashamedly middle class in his dress, mannerisms and speech, it’s easy to see why he is being heralded as the latest thing in ‘posh comedy’. In terms of demeanour and delivery, McIntyre…

Tom Tom Club

16 Aug 2007

Not to be confused with the 80s hip hop band, this Tom Tom Club comes from Australia. They are a troupe of super-talented boys, who use turntablism, ridiculously impressive beatboxing, high energy drumming and acrobatics to make a slick modern day…

Maximum Crew

9 Aug 2007

Korean breakdance has evolved away from the po-faced machismo that can pervade Western scenes, so while the dancers may still occasionally come across as cocky show-offs, they’re not afraid of self-parody or knowing camp. Over there the b-boy crews…

Is This About Sex?

1 Aug 2007

Not just about sex, this play examines the societal confines of the modern world, exposing the inextricable issues of identity with sexuality and gender and of course sex itself.

The Lady Boys of Bangkok

edfest.tv - video

12 Aug 2008

It's going to be a party night like no other! And you are at the top of the invitation list, so hurry!

School of Comedy

16 Aug 2007

In this age of Asbos, hoodies and teenage gang warfare it’s probably illegal to encourage youngsters to swear and be rude in front of adults, but this is exactly what the grown-ups behind School of Comedy plan to do. The show is billed as ‘an adult…

Frankie Boyle

9 Aug 2007

In some ways it would be difficult to imagine an encounter between Frankie Boyle and Jimmy Carr, what with them being, arguably, the two finest gag tellers in contemporary British stand-up comedy. How, you wonder, can they have a chat when they must be…