James Rowland: Piece of Work review – an affecting account of fathers, sons and Shakespeare

Summerhall, EdinburghRowland’s beautifully crafted show considers his, and our, little lives in the context of the Bard’s wordsContent warning: the next hour, James Rowland tells us, may contain traces of Shakespeare. The clue is in his title but shoul…

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‘It’s a zeitgeist-capturer’: climate crisis and trans rights are talk of Edinburgh festival

Walkout by authors over fossil fuel links plus controversies about identity, racism and sexism are hot topics at politically charged eventWhen Jessica Gaitán Johannesson led a mass walkout at an Edinburgh book festival event last weekend, she told the …

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Two Cats on a Date review – one-woman show is a frenzy of feline fun

Zoo Playground, EdinburghUS actor-writer Griffin Kelly proves a performer to her fingertips with this highly physical comedy showFor the first few minutes of Griffin Kelly’s playful solo show, the dialogue is made up almost entirely of miaows. As two k…

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Edinburgh festival 2023: polar bears, sex robots and ghosts – in pictures

Photographer Murdo MacLeod captures an eye-catching array of comedy, dance and theatre shows as the arts spectacular continues Continue reading…

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‘It’s like a cult’ … the Edinburgh fringe acts willing audiences to take part

Comedians at the festival are enlisting volunteers to join in their acts, creating a warm, inclusive and fun spaceAs I cross the threshold of US comedian Moses Storm’s Edinburgh fringe show, I’m handed a white coat. Now part of an identically dressed c…

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‘You need an element of crowd control’: the Edinburgh comics also doing kids’ shows

They might be ‘edgy, queer’ comics by night – but by day Shelf are children’s entertainers, and they’re not the only fringe act with a sideline in making kids laughWhen the comedy duo Shelf were asked to perform a show for children, they balked. “We’re…

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Leech or saviour? Edinburgh fringe show spotlights theatre’s vexed relationship with critics

Attachment: The Leech Show is a merry romp about an influential reviewer and sums up the industry’s paradoxical attitude to theatre criticismAdvice has been circulating among fringe companies about how to appeal to theatre critics. The idea is to dig u…

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Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha review – healing hilarity

Monkey Barrel Comedy, EdinburghA clown by trade, Masli here sets about tackling the audience’s problems. Her leftfield efforts to ease them are one of this fringe’s true tonicsAt any given fringe, a show will emerge that crystallises the festival spiri…

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The hell and humanity of touting myself at Edinburgh: ‘I sidle up to strangers like a stray dog’

For all but the biggest names, handing out flyers in the street is still essential. That doesn’t make it any less awkwardThe key to performing standup is to convince your audience that you don’t want their attention or approval as much as you obviously…

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Edinburgh’s superstar magicians on secrets and surprises: ‘You have to be very good at lying’

Magic and mentalism abounds at this year’s festival. But how are the tricks done? Some of the best performers remain tightlipped – while others reveal all“That feeling you have right now,” says Colin Cloud, putting his cards down, “it’s wonderful, righ…

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