The Scottish capital once again welcomes the international artistic community to its cobbled streets for the world’s largest arts festival. Rachael Hutchings looks into just some of the talented groups from Wales taking part.
NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY OF WALES: FOLK
When and where: Sun 20 – Fri 25 Aug, 3.30pm, ZOO Southside
What: The National Dance Company of Wales perform Caroline Finn’s dark and comedic Folk, which features award-winning and highly engaging choreography as part of the British Council Showcase. This performance engages in thematic contrast between familiar and surreal scenes, rewriting human emotions through an entrancing and quirky landscape.
How much: £10-£12
Info: www.ndcwales.co.uk
NO BOUNDARIES THEATRE: GOLF COURSE WAR MACHINE
When and where: Tue 8- Sat 12 Aug, 7.35pm, theSpace on North Bridge
What: In No Boundaries Theatre’s debut appearance at Edinburgh Fringe, Melanie Stevens performs Chris Harris’ visceral and witty one-woman play. Set in Newport during 2014’s NATO Summit, hungover Pippa stages her own special protest on the Coldra roundabout in an attempt to stamp Wales on the global map. A very moving performance proving that in this noisy political climate, even the smallest voices deserve to be heard.
How much: £6.50-£8
Info: www.facebook.com/noboundariescdf
TUDUR OWEN: FLUID THINKING
When and where: Thus 10 – Sun 27 Aug, 3.00pm, Just the Tonic at The Mash House
What: BAFTA Wales-winning comedian Tudur Owen celebrates his 50th year of existence with his brilliant stand-up comedy. Hailed as one of Wales’ top comedians, the BBC Radio 4 regular demonstrates the beauty of later life, and taking every day as it comes.
How much: £5 in advance to guarantee a seat, or pay what you want on the door.
Info: www.facebook.com/Tudur-Owen
FLYING BRIDGE THEATRE AND SEABRIGHT PRODUCTIONS: NOT ABOUT HEROES
When and where: Wed 2 – Mon 28 Aug, 12pm, Pleasance Dome
What: Stephen MacDonald’s Wales Theatre Award-winning production is embarking on a world tour, stopping off for a debut at the Fringe to commemorate the centenary of the armistice and the exceptional friendship depicted in the play between WWI poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. Telling a story about a bond fused over a mutual adoration of an art and hatred of war, this production is compelling and tangibly recreates 1917.
How much: £11.50 – £12.50
Info: www.seabrights.com/notaboutheroes
DIRTY PROTEST: SUGAR BABY
When and where: Fri 4 – Sun 27 Aug, 6.05pm, Roundabout at Summerhall
What: Avoiding his mother and disguising cannabis plants with fake tomatoes, it proves difficult for small-time Cardiff drug dealer Marc to live up to his family’s expectations when he finds himself simultaneously in over £6,000 worth of debt and a love triangle between a loan shark and an old flame. An interesting and critically acclaimed one-man comedy from Alan Harris.
How much: £9-£13
Info: www.dirtyprotesttheatre.co.uk
BOYS OF THE EMPIRE PRODUCTIONS: LORD DISMISS US
When and where: Fri 4 – Sat 26 Aug, 6.05pm, theSpace at Surgeons Hall
What: In the first adaptation of Michael Campbell’s hilarious 1967 novel, a homophobic new headteacher and his staunch Catholic wife have a horrifying influence on an all-boys’ boarding school. English master Eric Ashley battles with his inner demons while a prefect is madly in love with a fourth year in this wickedly funny and poignant story marking the 50th anniversary of the partial legalisation of homosexuality in Wales and England. Brought to the Fringe by Taggart creator Glenn Chandler.
How much: £5-£9
Info: www.boteproductions.co.uk
MR AND MRS CLARK: (F.E.A.R.)
When and where: Fri 4 – Mon 28 Aug, varying times, ZOO Southside
What: In the follow-up to Mr and Mrs Clark’s Amnesty International shortlisted show Smash It Up, another performance questioning the way we live is brought to Edinburgh in a raw interpretation of a life continuously up against stories of terrorism, racism and illness. Food for thought regarding whether society ever wants us to feel safe, supported by Chapter Arts Centre.
How much: £8-£10
Info: www.mrandmrsclark.co.uk
NEARSIDE PRODUCTIONS LTD: THE REVLON GIRL
When and where: Thu 3 – Mon 28 Aug, 1pm, Assembly Roxy
What: Based on the tragic true events following the 1966 Aberfan Disaster, this play shadows the bereaved women of the community who met weekly to cry and laugh without guilt. After admitting how much they would like to let themselves go, they secretly arrange for a Revlon representative to visit them and encourage frivolousness and new-found confidence in the women.
How much: £11-£13
Info: www.facebook.com/therevlongirl