Take Your Pick of Festival Best

WITH more than 18,792 entertainers appearing in 31,000 performances across 247 venues, The Fringe is the biggest of all the Edinburgh Festivals.

Sixties sex-siren Britt Ekland, gameshow host-turned-actor Michael Barrymore, a play by Star Trek’s Mr Spock and veteran comedienne Joan Rivers are among this year’s highlights.

Here, Evening News Arts and Entertainment Editor Liam Rudden selects the shows not to miss when the biggest arts festival in the world comes to town.

A WORK IN PROGRESS BY A LIFE IN PROGRESS

Let me tell you, US comedy icon Joan Rivers makes her Edinburgh Fringe acting debut in this self-penned autobiographical play. The veteran performer will also be performing a limited number of stand- up shows. If you’ve never seen her before, now is your chance to discover the lady behind the legend.

Udderbelly, Bristo Square, August 7-25, 3.45pm, GBP 10-GBP 35, 0844-545 8252

CAESAR TWINS

Spectacular gymnasts, Pablo and Pierre Caesar, pictured right, the extraordinary identical twin stars of The Royal Variety Performance and La Clique, are back with a new take on their breathtaking, high-octane acrobatic show.

Udderbelly, until August 25, 5.50pm, GBP 7-GBP 15, 0131-226 0000

BRITT EKLAND –

BRITT ON BRITT

Join one of the 20th century’s most beautiful women and former Bond girl, as she looks through her remarkable life, from Sweden to Sellers. In this no-holds-barred exploration of the woman behind the headlines she promises to reveal many unknown truths.

Intriguing.

Assembly, George Street, until August 25 (not 20), 6.30pm, GBP 5- GBP 11.50, 0131-623 3030

A FESTIVAL DICKENS

Simon Callow is a busy man this year, as well as directing on the Fringe he is starring in a revival of two of Charles Dickens’ mono- dramas. Forgotten for 150 years, these tales peopled by dwarves, giants and toffs are pure Dickensian gold.

Assembly, George Street August 7-25 (not 11, 18), 2pm, GBP 17.50- GBP 20, 0131-226 0000

LOOK AT WHAT YOU COULD HAVE WON

The legend returns. Ex-Bullseye presenter Jim Bowen hosts an entertaining lunchtime chat show. He will also be presenting this year’s Evening News Drama Award.

Udderbelly, until August 25, 12.30pm, GBP 12.50-GBP 14.50, 0131- 226 0000

DEEP CUT

Pte Cheryl James died from gunshot wounds at Deepcut Barracks. Her parents still want answers from those responsible for her care. Crafted from source material and first-hand testimonies.

Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, until August 24 (not 11, 18), various times, GBP 10-GBP 16, 0131-228 1404

STEPHEN K AMOS –

FIND THE FUNNY

A firm comedy favourite at the Fringe, selling out year after year, the inimitable Stephen K Amos is back for the seventh time with his new show. He also has a chat show to catch.

Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance, until August 25 (not 6, 13), GBP 8-GBP 15, 0131-556 6550

MAXIMO PARK

Newcastle’s finest export since the famous brown ale, Maximo Park will provide a thrilling assault on the senses. With both their albums hitting the Top 20, these boys sure know how to belt out a cracking tune. Again, part of the Fringe music strand The Edge Festival.

Corn Exchange, August 18, 7pm, GBP 17.50, 0131-226 0000

ON THE WATERFRONT

Hot on the heels of its unanimously critically acclaimed and sold- out run at Nottingham Playhouse, theatre legend Steven Berkoff brings the stage version of the classic Marlon Brando film to Edinburgh.

Pleasance Grand, The Pleasance, until August 24, (not 5, 12, 19), GBP 7.50-GBP 15, 2pm, 0131-556 6550

BILL BAILEY –

TINSELWORM

Fringe legend and Never Mind the Buzzcocks team captain Bill Bailey brings his critically acclaimed arena show to Edinburgh for one night only. So he’s sure to sell-out.

Gilded Balloon@Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, August 14, 8pm, GBP 25, 0131-668 1633

DIZZEE RASCAL

The walls of the Liquid Room will shake to the sounds of East London rapper Dizzee Rascal as the Mercury Music Prize winner brings his critically acclaimed album Maths & English to The Edge Festival.

Liquid Room, Victoria Street, August 21, 7pm, GBP 15, 0131-225 2564

Edinburgh fringe

AUGUST 3-25 www.edfringe.com

Jonathan Mills, Edinburgh International Festival artistic director picks his Fringe Top 5.

FRINGE SUNDAY

Fringe Sunday is a Festival institution, like the fireworks finale, and a great opportunity for visitors and locals alike to experience the festival atmosphere for free. Weather permitting, it’s a great day out.

www.edfringe.com

AFFABRE CONCINUI – POLISH CHAMBER SINGERS

Work from Poland is given a voice across the festivals, and this quirky event at St Andrew’s and St George’s should be interesting.

www.edfringe.com

ARCHITECTING

I’m very much looking forward to the National Theatre of Scotland’s Architecting at the Traverse. It’s wonderful to see Scotland’s major companies stand shoulder to shoulder with their great international counterparts at the Festivals.

www.edfringe.com

GYPSY ARTS FESTIVAL

Gypsy music is enjoying a welcome renaissance – a regular feature at the BBC Proms; gypsy violinist Roby Lakatos and Ensemble at the EIF; and now this new event at the Famous Speigeltent.

www.edfringe.com

THE TAILOR

OF INVERNESS

A true-life story about a Polish immigrant. Directed by Grid Iron’s Ben Harrison, it promises to be a very moving performance, with live accompaniment on violin.

www.edfringe.com

EDINBURGH

INTERNATIONAL

FESTIVAL

AUGUST 8-31 www.eif.co.uk

The theme of the 2008 EIF is borders – political, geographic, cultural, social and religious. Jon Morgan, artistic director of the Fringe, picks his Top 5 events.

365

This new play with The National Theatre of Scotland by leading Scottish playwright David Harrower explores the difficult transition to independence and adulthood for children in care.

Playhouse, Greenside Place, August 22-25, 7.30pm (Saturday matinee 2.30pm), GBP 10-GBP 25, 0131-473 2000

4:48 PSYCHOSIS

It is great to see a strong programme of Polish work in the Festival. One of the most exciting collaborations is a production by English playwright Sarah Kane performed by Tr Warszawa.

King’s Theatre, Leven Street, August 15-17, 8pm, GBP 10-GBP 25, 0131-473 2000

STEVE REICH EVENING

Steve Reich’s minimalist music lends itself well to contemporary dance, and choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s work has been inspired by Reich.

Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street, August 15-17, 7.30 pm, GBP 10- GBP 28, 0131-473 2000

MATTHEW BOURNE’S DORIAN GRAY

Matthew Bourne produces witty, sexy dance pieces. Since achieving international recognition with his all-male version of Swan Lake, he has continued to create cheeky, sensual and accessible dance.

King’s Theatre, Leven Street, August 22-30, 8pm, GBP 15-GBP 30, 0131-473 2000

PROKOFIEV

THE 7 SYMPHONIES

A chance to hear all seven Prokofiev symphonies over three days is the sort of unique event the Festival does so well.

Usher Hall, Lothian Road, August 15-17, 8pm, GBP 10-GBP 39, 0131- 473 2000

Edinburgh international book festival

AUGUST 9-25 2008 www.edbookfest.co.uk

This year’s Book Festival boasts more than 750 author events and activities all taking place in Charlotte Square Gardens in the West End of the Capital. Authors appearing include Reuters journalist Matthew Green, actor Simon Callow, Alexander McCall Smith, award- winning Australian writer David Malouf and former war correspondent turned politician Martin Bell, who here chooses his Top 5 Book Festival highlights.

GEORGE STEINER

This amazing man, critic and scholar and all round good egg, was my tutor at Cambridge nearly 50 years ago. He over-awed me then. He still does. It would be such a pleasure to sit at his feet again.

August 17, 3pm

ALEX SALMOND

It isn’t only an interest in politics that makes me want to be there. Scotland’s First Minister is the most successful politician of our time. How does he do it? Where is he going with it? How has he managed to buck the trend and not be dragged down by it? This Independent would really like to know.

August 19, 6.30pm

GENERAL SIR

MIKE JACKSON

Until General Dannatt came along, he was Britain’s best known soldier, widely referred to in the Army (though never to his face) as the Prince of Darkness. I came across him in all sorts of challenging environments. From Bosnia to Whitehall. I expect a session of home truths delivered in a soldierly way and with as little respect for the political class as it deserves.

August 22, 4.30pm

WHISKY TASTING

Okay, so it isn’t strictly a literary occasion, though I don’t doubt that Orkney’s single malt, Highland Park, has inspired a good many writers. On a recent visit I did my homework painstakingly, and can recommend this distillation of the spirit of the island.

August 24 & 25, 8pm

SEAN CONNERY

This is the big one, the climax of it all: Sean Connery, on his 78th birthday, introduces Scotland’s most eagerly awaited memoir Being a Scot. His friend and co-author Murray Grigor will be on stage with him. There isn’t a hall in all Scotland, never mind a tent, that can accommodate everyone who would like to be there. And the sponsor? Highland Park, of course.

August 25, 11.30am

Martin Bell is speaker at The Anderson Strathern Event – on August 20 at 6.30pm Chaired by Tam Dalyell.

edinburgh art festival

July 31-August 31 www.edinburghart festival.com

The fifth Edinburgh Art Festival brings together the city’s galleries, museums and visual art spaces to present the best, in modern and contemporary visual arts. Evening News art reviewer Martin Lennon highlights his Top 5.

CAPITAL CITY –

NEW PAINTINGS OF EDINBURGH

The excitement comes from discovering or rediscovering places and views we might once have known about but either forgotten or taken for granted. Edinburgh is often referred to a beautiful city, but in daily life, how much of that do people truly recognise?

Scotlandart.com, 2 St Stephen Place

DISCOVER ISLAM

EXHIBITION

Art can offer an entertaining, yet deep glimpse into the heart of groups of people who might seem radically different, but who have more in common with us than we thought.

Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow

IMPRESSIONISM

& SCOTLAND

Two visual treats for the price of one: The breathtaking, beauty of the Scottish landscapes and the glorious, sumptuous vision of some of the greatest artists in history.

National Gallery Complex, The Mound

TRACEY EMIN: 20 YEARS

A major retrospective by one of the genre’s brightest stars is a rare opportunity to experience this art-form in person. It will be a thought-provoking and incisive installation .

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 75 Belford Road

WE ARE ALL BORN FREE

The universal declaration of human rights has been reinterpreted by children’s illustrators from around the world.

Amnesty International, St John’s Church, Princes Street and Lothian Road

invasian festival

AUGUST 3-25 www.invasianfestival.com

ClubWEST at the Quincentenary Hall of the Royal College of Surgeons on Nicolson Street host this mini-festival dedicated to Asian culture, music, dance, drama, film and art.

Here, Martin Hunt of Tartan Silk, who is promoting the event, picks his InvAsian Top 5.

FAMILY

A fun family show that expresses what the InvAsian Festival is all about, with martial arts, street dance andclowning. This show is an extreme mix of Korean physical brilliance and comic lunacy, as well as amazing pulsating musical .

ANOTHER PARADISE

This darkly satirical comedy is set in a world in the bear future where ID cards are compulsory. Identities are lost and deleted but the system still decides who you are, even if you’re sure you are someone else.

GENDER PRETENDERS

This electrifying cabaret show, with daring parodies, comedy, stereotypes and celebrities takes you to new dimensions of drag, pushing hard on the boundaries of gender. All the way from Israel these girl/boys are truly wild.

ANSHUL TOMAR

A Bollywood singer whose wonderful voice and success last year has been the inspiration of the InvAsian Festival. The former ‘Indian Idol’ contestant returns to the Fringe to delight audiences with a new repertoire of classical and Bollywood songs.

SOUL TRADERS

Set in Sixties London, hippies are marching for peace, Elvis is making a comeback and there is a buzz in the market. Soul Traders is a genuine feel good musical about love, life and salvation, with great soulful songs and a truly magical ending.

(c) 2008 Evening News; Edinburgh (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.