And here they come. Film stars, actors, artists, authors, comedians, dancers, chancers, wannabes, has-beens, legends, unknowns, new stars, old stars, students, opera singers, gymnasts, mentalists, magicians, politicians, Kate Bush impersonators and Bobby Davro, all of them about to descend on Edinburgh.
Some 50,000 performers (and counting), some 3,500 shows (and that’s just at the Fringe). How do you find a path through all that is on offer? Well, maybe you don’t. Maybe you just dive in and take your chances.
But given that there is so much choice across the Fringe and the International Festival (never mind the Book and Film Festivals) perhaps it would help to have some sort of rudimentary map. So, here are 12 shows in Edinburgh this August that might deserve some of your attention.
THEATRE
The Outrun
Church Hill Theatre, August 3-24, 8pm (except August 4, 11 & 18); Previews July 31-August 2, 8pm; plus 3pm performances on August 8, 10, 15, 17 & 24
Edinburgh belongs to Amy Liptrot this August. The film version of her memoir The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan, will open this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 15, which should give you plenty of time to catch this Royal Lyceum Company take on the same story, adapted by Stef Smith and directed by former NTS director Vicky Featherstone, for a game of compare-and-contrast.
Part of the Edinburgh International Festival, this world premiere jumps between Orkney and London, addiction and rebirth, in a story of isolation and resilience. Luke Sutherland has composed the score.
The Fifth Step
The Lyceum, August 21-24, 7.30pm; August 24-25, 2pm; August 25, 6pm
In something of a coup for EIF, Jack Lowden stars in the world premiere of David Ireland’s new play, The Fifth Step. Ireland, best known for his provocative plays Cyprus Avenue and Ulster American, here tackles the subject of alcoholism and the journey to recovery.
Catafalque
Summerhall (Tech Cube), August 1-11, 12.25pm
Scottish-based actor, playwright, theatre-maker and clown Ann Conway became a civil celebrant a few years ago. As a result she has conducted funeral services all over the west of Scotland. That experience has fed into her new play which receives its world premiere at this year’s Fringe. It’s a show about love, loss and secrets, and one that asks the question, does everyone deserve our grief?
SPOKEN WORD
Steve Richards Presents: Rock’n’Roll Politics
The Space @Symosium Hall, August 11-24, 11am
There is no shortage of politics at this year’s Fringe, with everyone from Darren McGarvey to Iain Dale making an appearance. (The latter is speaking to everyone from Liz Truss to Humza Yousaf).
But journalist and podcaster Steve Richards is usually one of the saner voices on these occasions and he’s certainly more likely to have some insight on what to expect from the new Westminster government.
DANCE AND CIRCUS
Grupo Corpo
Edinburgh Playhouse, August 5-7, 7.30pm
Brazilian dance company Grupo Corpo brings two UK premieres to the Edinburgh International Festival this August. Both choreographed by Rodrigo Pederneiras, Gil Refazendo is a homage to the Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil. Gira, meanwhile, is inspired by the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda, and comes with music from Sao Paulo jazzers Meta Meta.
Assembly Hall
Festival Theatre, August 22-24, 7.30pm
To quote the Edinburgh International Festival, this Scottish premiere of choreographer Crystal Pite and writer Johnathon Young's new work combines “Arthurian cosplay and emotive contemporary dance.” Well, of course it does. It’s the story of a meeting of a medieval re-enactment society which takes a turn to the mythic. Admit it, you've always wanted to see knights in armour getting their groove on.
YOAH
Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows, August 2-18 (except August 12)
Balancing acts, juggling, rope work, trapeze, big drums. Japan’s contemporary circus company Cirquework brings its new show to Edinburgh, one that combines impressive physicality, an electro soundtrack and immersive visual effects. The result is very much a 21st-century vision of what a circus can be.
N.Ormes
Assembly Roxy (Upstairs) July 31-August 25 ( except August 7, 14 & 21)
The Montreal-based duo Agathe Bisserier and Adrien Malette-Chenier made their Fringe debut last year. They return this August with N.Ormes, a circus show that combines dance with acrobatics and is both a platform for their physicality and an exploration of ideas of gender roles and inequality between the sexes. The original score is written by Simon Leoza and costume design is by Sophie El Assad.
COMEDY
Rob Auton: The Eyes Open and Shut Show
Assembly Roxy (Upstairs), July 31-August 25, 2.15pm
Why isn’t Rob Auton better known? He is a wonderfully distinctive stand-up who is smart as well as funny. And he uses comedy as a way to express his interest in the world in a unique and loving way. This August the comedian and podcaster returns to the Fringe with his 11th hour which has, as the title suggests, an ocular theme. Auton is not the most demonstrative stand-up in Edinburgh this August, but to see his shows is to enter into his world. It’s a quirky, cosy, heartwarming place to be.
Kiri Pritchard-Maclean: Peacock
Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance One), August 2-4, 6pm
It’s a very limited run for the Live at the Apollo star this August. But the Welsh comedian is bringing a new show to the Fringe in which she talks about becoming a foster parent. This is part of a long tour that will see her return to Glasgow’s Oran Mor in September. If she controls her foster charges the way she controls her audiences she must be a natural.
CABARET
Colin Cloud: Consequences
Underbelly, Bristo Square, July 31-August 26 (except August 13), 7.20pm
The Scottish-born Vegas star returns home for August to confuse, confound and entertain Fringe audiences with his “mind-reading” skills. His theme this year is belief. The result, if previous years are anything to go by, will be hugely enjoyable if baffling. How can he know these things?
Victor’s Victoria
Assembly Rooms (Drawing Room), August 1-25 (except August 7, 13 & 20), 8.15pm
For anyone who grew up watching Victor Mature in Hollywood westerns (including My Darling Clementine), film noir (Kiss of Death) or Biblical epics (Samson & Delilah and The Robe), this might be the show for you.
Mature’s daughter (and opera singer) Victoria comes to Edinburgh with a cabaret show of songs and stories (and possibly the odd film clip) to celebrate her father’s story.
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