Head Set review – a backstage tour of standup comedy

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghVictoria Melody uses theatre to unpick the mechanics of the comedy world – with some fascinating discoveries about neurodivergence along the wayVictoria Melody likes to throw herself into things. For previous shows, the pe…

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Sibling revelry: the brother and sister hitting Edinburgh fringe with magic and comedy

Break-dancing illusionist Magical Bones and comedian Eme Essien are at the festival with new shows. He teaches her one of his tricks – and gets an acting masterclass in returnOne is a rising comedy star and actor whose solo hour Flat Shoes in the Club …

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Boris the Third review – the greased-piglet antics of a schoolboy PM

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghAdam Meggido’s play finds the teenage Johnson starring in Shakespeare’s tragedy and gives a taste of his future leadershipOut of his depth as a tragedy unfolds around him: say what you like about Eton College’s 1982 produc…

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Masterclass review – the ‘great male artist’ put through the shredder

Pleasance Dome, EdinburghBrokentalkers theatre company and feminist comic Adrienne Truscott joyfully burlesque the ugliness of machismo in art and in lifeThe great male artist may soon be on his way out, and not before time. But Brokentalkers theatre c…

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Coming Out of My Cage (and I’ve Been Doing Just Fine) review – killer karaoke

Underbelly, EdinburghIrresistibly gleeful celebration of the enduring popularity of Mr Brightside, the Killers’ 2004 debut anthem still in the charts todayVegas rockers the Killers have just released a new single but their 2004 debut, Mr Brightside, is…

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‘It’s great to be back’: return of Edinburgh Fringe sees surge in sales

Attenders thrilled at festival but disgusted at the price of rooms, while venues are relieved at the bums on seatsThe past two summers without a full Edinburgh fringe have “felt weird” for Kwong Chan and his improvisational comedy troupe in Norwich, bu…

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Tell us about your highlights from the Edinburgh fringe festival

We’d like to hear about your favourite moments from the festival this yearThe Edinburgh fringe festival has returned to a full programme of events for first time since the coronavirus pandemic.After two years, the arts festival is back with more than 3…

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‘The first time I did cocaine, I thought: That’s expensive’ – Keith Allen on his wild years

He blazed through the 90s, an explosive mix of hellraising laddishness and sheer comic talent. As the 68-year-old resurfaces in Rehab, a musical about a drug-addicted pop star, he hits the Groucho to relive his triumphs and ponder his regretsKeith Alle…

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The best theatre to stream this month: Edinburgh fringe, Jane Eyre and more

Our roundup of drama to watch at home includes highlights from the world’s biggest arts jamboree and startling fresh takes on Charlotte Brontë and Henrik Ibsen“I was struck by her spirit and strong will, her peculiar and brilliant mind. She lashes out …

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