As part of the Edinburgh International Festival
- Join Lebanese-French dance company Maqamat for an interactive dance performance in the beautiful surrounds of the Old College Quad. Dance People pirouettes between joy and critique, examining the power structures that influence the artistic process. Democracy, dictatorship and culture are placed under the spotlight, their tensions explored through dynamic choreography and unflinching physicality.
- Discover a whirlwind programme of French and Chinese pieces. Myung-Whun Chung conducts the resident orchestra of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing along with Bruce Liu, winner of the 2021 Chopin International Piano Competition. First up on the programme is Wu Xing (The Five Elements) by Qigang Chen. Then, Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto opens with a playful, percussive whip-crack.
- Malian kora star Ballaké Sissoko and versatile French cellist Vincent Segal last performed at the International Festival together in 2021 with their neoclassical fusion of African and European traditions. After creating two albums together, they return to the Festival with jazz musicians, Émile Parisien and Vincent Peirani, on the soprano saxophone and accordion.
As part of the Edinburgh Fringe
- GO!, by Corps in Situ, is at the crossroads of contemporary dance, martial arts, and digital technology. In a choreography impregnated by the martial practice of the two dancers, these universes meet and mix to create a duet that combines humour, precision of gesture, and beauty of movement.
- Following multiple sell-out runs and a UK tour, Celya AB (Live At The Apollo, Off Menu, Melbourne Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs) is working on her brand new show. ‘One of the most gifted joke writers of our age’ **** (Chortle.co.uk). ‘She has claimed her crown and her mastery over the stand-up art form’ ***** (PepperAndSalt.uk).
- One of Europe’s most exciting female choreographic voices, Léa Tirabasso, comes into its own, in this uncompromising and surrealistic piece. Plunged into an absurd world, In the Bushes celebrates the incomprehensible and magnificent contradictions of life. Quirky and witty, it mocks the idea that we are exceptional and questions our humanity with ferocious joy.
- In an overpopulated Britain, a law called the Parental Act requires everyone to obtain a license to have children. Do Astronauts Masturbate in Space?, an electric dark comedy follows charming young couple Lily and Gareth, who, after falling pregnant, must attend a week-long “retreat” where their baby’s fate is decided by the State.
- Plant-sitting and live-streaming from her friend’s flat, Gayara unearths the untold history of her Amazonian ancestors, from those who watched the first Europeans lay claim to her land to the women fighting to defend the forest today. Buckle up for Gaël Le Cornec’s Amazons, a gripping new show by the winners of the Guimarães Rosa Institute Award 2025.
- Compagnie Achnamara presents Clean Your Plate! Aged four, Augustin never finished his food. Now he has a terrible habit of always cleaning his plate, and lecturing people on how they should eat. Today is his thirtieth birthday, and he is forced to examine his relationship with food, as well as his relationship with himself. Funny solo show about hunger, who we are, and the mess of growing up.
- Are you angry? This punk clown musical comedy show is very, very angry, and if you’re not, then you’re not paying attention. And Loose T doesn’t want to be alone. So with improvised interactions with the audience, short clown skits and punkish songs she will make you angry too – with men in suits, fossil fuels, fascists, plastic, Brexit, labels… until you scream, dance and sing along with her.
SHOW LISTINGS:
As part of the Edinburgh International Festival
Dance People | 7-10 August | 8.30pm | 1h45 | Old College Quad 2025 | £15/£21/£30
Bruce Liu Plays Ravel | 6 August | 8.30pm | 1h30 | Usher Hall | £11.25/£26/£31
Up Late with Sissoko, Segal, Parisien & Peirani | 22 August | 10pm | 1h15 | the Hub – Main Hall | £12.5/£15/£21/£30
As part of the Edinburgh Fringe
GO! | 12-24 August | 10am | 40min | Venue 82, ZOO Southside – Main House | £6/£8/£10
Celya AB: Work in Progress | 11-24 August | 1.25pm | 1h | Venue 313a, Monkey Barrel Comedy – The Hive| £10
In the Bushes | 13-25 August | 4.35pm | 1h | Venue 26, Summerhall – Main Hall | £10
Do Astronauts Masturbate in Space? | 5-23 August | 7.50pm | 55min | Venue 16, Greenside @ Riddles Court – Willow Studio | £10/£14
Amazons | 5-25 August | 7.50pm | 1h10 | Venue 26, Summerhall – Former Gents Locker Room | £14.50/£16.50
Clean Your Plate! | 5-24 August | 6.10pm | 55min | Venue 6, C ARTS – C Venues – C aurora – studio | £10/£12/£14
Loose T: Anger is Love x | 11-24 August | 9.30pm | 50min | Venue 21, C ARTS – C Venues – C aquila – studio | £4/£6/£9/£12/£15