Sophie Stephenson

Fork - Electro Vocal Circus

PVC-clad a capella group covering pop classics

The four-piece a cappella group from Finland return. Fork’s look and repertoire is much more glam rock than Glee, with one member being labelled as the ‘Legolas from hell’. They have an ever so slightly intimidating presence, but this only adds to their…

Peter Straker’s Brel

Belgian chanteur Brel’s life explored in song, costumes and storytelling

Jamaican born Peter Straker has been involved in British TV, music, and theatre for decades – he’s been in Doctor Who, collaborated with Freddie Mercury and starred in Hair and Phantom of the Opera amongst other things. In this latest show however, he…

Edinburgh Festival pre-sales increase in 2012 despite Olympic fever

Olympic TV viewing figures thought to have little effect on final ticket sales figure

With the 2012 London Olympics drawing sky-high television ratings – 10.7 million viewers tuned in to watch Andy Murray win gold in the Olympic tennis final last Sunday afternoon while a further 10.1 million watched Chris Hoy take his second gold on…

Top 5 tech-related shows at the Edinburgh Festivals 2012

Featuring Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, Misha Glenny, Mark Restuccia and Through the Looking Screen

The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs A one-man theatre show detailing the working conditions in Chinese factories that manufacture the iPhone, highlighting the lengths we are willing to go to in pursuit of technological advancement. Steve…

Tom Thum: Beating the Habit

Beatboxing Aussie seems to have swallowed bagpipes, decks and a didgeridoo

Part of Australian acrobat-dance-variety show the Tom Tom Crew, 27-year-old beatboxer Tom Thum now brings his solo show to the Fringe. With the ability to conjure up a large variety of unusual sounds – bagpipes and a didgeridoo all show up — the Aussie…

Eddie Izzard to appear at Fringe 2012

The comedian will appear alongside international guests Trevor Noah and Michael Mittermeier

Comedian Eddie Izzard is set to return to the Fringe this year for one night only. The show will feature two international special guests, Germany's Michael Mittermeier and South Africa's Trevor Noah. English-born Izzard has a long history with the…

Exclusive new tracks from Discopolis' Summer Mixtape EP

Listen here first to the Edinburgh electro-poppers' new material

Upcoming Edinburgh based trio Discopolis are soon to release their Summer Mixtape EP as a free download on their website and Soundcloud page. The boys – Fergus Cook, Laurie Corlett Donald and Dave Lloyd – formed the group in 2010, after having been…

Edinburgh Film Festival 2012 programme launched

Chris Fujiwara reveals extensive world cinema programme for EIFF 2012

This year the Edinburgh International Film Festival 's new director, Chris Fujiwara, has devised a brave and eclectic programme in an attempt to return the festival to its former glory. With a similar format to previous years - with several strands…

Olympic Torch Relay - Scottish route and dates

Information on Scottish leg of the Olympic Torch's journey around the UK

Having toured through various towns and cities in England and Wales, the Olympic Torch relay is set to head to Scotland, starting in Glasgow on Fri 8 Jun. The city will celebrate the torch’s arrival with a multi-arts programme at Kelvingrove Art…

Win tickets to see your bands from the stage at RockNess 2012

This year's RockNess Festival is offering one lucky person and a friend the chance to watch their favourite act from the side of the stage. The competition is open to anyone who has already purchased full weekend tickets, or day ticket holders who want…

Our top three Charlize Theron roles

The former model is much more than just a pretty face

Discovered during the midst of an argument with a bank employee in California, South African born former model Charlize Theron is a critically acclaimed actress, yet due to the conventional roles Hollywood churns out for beautiful women (see the Milla…

Lynne Ramsey reported to be working on new title with Natalie Portman

The two will pair up on western Jane Got a Gun

Glasgow born director Lynne Ramsay's next project has just been announced: a Western that will star Natalie Portman. Jane Got A Gun will focus on a young woman whose outlaw of a husband is brutally attacked by his own gang. When the band of men head to…

New trailer available for Baz Luhrmann's Great Gatsby

The 3D film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire

This December sees the release of Baz Luhrmann's take on F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Renowned for his epic stories of love and tragedy – see Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet – Luhrmann seems like a fitting director to put an original spin on…