Edinburgh Festival

To call the audience sparse at Asher Treleaven's Troubadour would be an understatement. I think he learnt the names of roughly half the audience; with a further member of the audience a respected musical musician needing no introduction. It was the presence of this comedian that meant I was more under the impression this was going to be a hidden gem rather than awful show. The poor attendance was baffling, Treleaven has already received numerous positive reviews. And why wouldn't he? He's funny and clever, a born perform and not to mention being very skilled with the Diablo!

Michael Elm reviews the chaos that is Tom Flanagan's KAPUT.

What if a gay woman, gay man, and straight woman had equal stage time to muse on sex, identity, and dating? Fed up with the predominantly straight-white-male perspectives on life and sex, Veronica Elizabeth, Kenny Neal, and Alyssa Wolff dreamed up the Gay/Straight Alliance: an LGBT-friendly comedy show that breaks down barriers, exposing the fact that basically, we're all awful, regardless of orientation. The cast presents their sardonic stand-up comedy showcase as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the Phoenix Bar on 46-48 Broughton Street at midnight from tonight, August 19th-26th.

Michael Elm reviews Emily Jenkin's latest brilliantly grim play.

Musical memoir CONFESSIONS OF OLD LADY #2, spiced with songs, is presented by well-seasoned Broadway and Hollywood actress Joan Shepard at the Fringe. At the age of 7 she was on Broadway, cast by Laurence Olivier. This prominent child actress has never looked back.

Following a sell-out and critically acclaimed run at London's Little Angel Theatre and at The 2012 Pulse Festival in Ipswich, Dotted Line Theatre bring their atmospheric one act play to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Lonely One, a delicious tale of fear, runs now through August 26, 2012, the Iron Belly, Underbelly - Cowgate. Check out eerie footage from the production in the video below!

Internationally acclaimed artists and performers taking part in the Festival join with cultural commentators and academics to explore, debate and challenge issues inspired by the programme for Festival 2012, in this early afternoon series presented in collaboration with British Council Scotland.

Michael Elm faces Rob Drummond's BULLET CATCH and lives to tell the tale.

Killing Time, an entertaining last hour before the Apocalypse reviewed by Michael Elm.

Michael Elm revels in the tension-and light tricks-of The Lonely One at the Underbelly.

Forest Fringe has announced Paper Stages, a beautifully designed free book co-authored by over twenty Forest Fringe artists, each page of which will be a different instruction-based performance for the reader or readers to perform themselves. Paper Stages will be launches today, 11th of August with a raucus party at an as-yet secret location. Featured writers include Kieran Hurley, writer-performer of the CATS Award-winning Beats.

Excellent character comedy from the very talented Nick Mohammed at the Pleasance.

Michael Fletcher joins the cast of InSTEP Theatre's award-winning production of Departure Lounge direct from ITV's Superstar. He is extremely positive about his experience on the show and is delighted that he is able to join the rest of the cast for Dougal Irvine's award-winning musical Departure Lounge this summer in Edinburgh. Get a first look at Fletcher and the rest of the cast in the photos below!

FirstBicycle presents the world premiere of Elspeth Turner's debut play The Idiot at the Wall at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, directed by Emily Reutlinger. The run plays now through August 25, 2012. All performances take place at 15:25 pm at Bedlam Theatre (Venue 49). Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

A weird and wonderful show; Boy in a Dress does impress.

Michael Elm reviews the show that not that many are people are talking about - not yet anyway- Unmythable.

TwoSquared Productions in association with Debbie Hicks presents Sondheim and Weidman's multi award-winning ASSASSINS for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012.

Noise and energy were present in equally large measures as THE BLIND launches at the Edinburgh festival.

Michael Elm reviews a preview of Celia Pacquola's upcoming Edinburgh show and compares it to a cup of tea.

In his quest to find new audiences for theatre, Mark MacNicol has taken the unusual step of offering his audience at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe their money back if they don't enjoy his play, Serve Cold.

AS YE SOW By Stewart Pringle, directed by Tom Richards, plays previews at The Pleasance Dome for Edinburgh Fringe Festival, tonight Aug 1 through Aug 3, and continues Aug 4-27 (no show on the 13th), 2012. All performances play at 12 p.m.

RBM and Comedians Theatre Company presents SHOPPING CENTRE, written and performed by Matthew Osborn & directed by Maggie Inchley at The Third Door at The Gilded Balloon, 45-47 Lothian St, Edinburgh EH1 1HB, from tonight, Aug 1 through Aug 26.

Mick Perrin for JFLL presents Nina Conti in DOLLY MIXTURES at Pleasance Dome, Potterow, 1 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AL from tonight, 1st through 27th August at 8.30pm, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The Lonely One, a delicious tale of fear, will begin preview at Edinburgh Festival fringe Aug 2-3 and continue its run Aug 4-26 (with no show on the 14th) at the Iron Belly, Underbelly - Cowgate. All performances start at 18:50 and run for 50 minutes.

FirstBicycle presents the world premiere of Elspeth Turner's debut play The Idiot at the Wall at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, directed by Emily Reutlinger. Previews play Aug 3-4, and the run continues Aug 5-25, 2012. All performances take place at 15:25 pm at Bedlam Theatre (Venue 49).