Make It Happen
Festival Theatre, 30 Jul-9 Aug, times vary
Witness the dramatic rise and collapse of RBS, the biggest bank in the world, in Make It Happen, a gripping new satire set in Edinburgh. Starring Brian Cox as Adam Smith and Sandy Grierson as Fred Goodwin, James Graham’s play explores ambition, greed, and the 2008 financial crash that shook the world.
The Dan Daw Show
The Lyceum, 2-4 Aug, 8pm
In his bold International Festival debut, disabled Australian dancer Dan Daw reclaims power through kink, challenging societal norms with vulnerability and pride. The Dan Daw Show blends sensual choreography and raw theatre to look at shame, identity, and radical self-acceptance.
Hanni Liang: Dreams
The Hub, 7 Aug, 8pm
Pianist Hanni Liang invites you into an immersive concert shaped by your own subconscious. Inspired by Debussy’s Rêverie, this interactive experience fuses classical music with audience reflections – through drawing, writing, or speaking – transforming dreams into a living, evolving work of art in real time.
Dance People
Old College Quad, 7-10 Aug, 8.30pm
Dance People by Lebanese-French dance company Maqamat blurs the line between audience and performer. Choreographers Omar Rajeh and Mia Habis inspect power, culture, and creativity through dynamic, politically charged movement in this immersive outdoor performance.
Works and Days
The Lyceum, 7-10 Aug, times vary
FC Bergman’s latest wordless piece highlights our fading connection to the earth through stunning imagery, movement, and music. Integrating ancient rituals with modern life, it journeys through seasons and human rites, featuring elemental set design and original Vivaldi-inspired music.
Up Late with Kathryn Joseph
The Hub, 9 Aug, 10pm
Scottish singer-songwriter Kathryn Joseph delivers meditative vocals and rhythmic piano at a late-night performance at The Hub. Since winning Scottish Album of the Year in 2015, her music has evolved from intimate delicacy to intensely experimental expressions. Joined by Lomond Campbell, she investigates darker territories, merging vulnerability with raw beauty.
Orpheus and Eurydice
Edinburgh Playhouse, 13-16 Aug, times vary
Opera Australia and Opera Queensland join forces with Circa for a spellbinding Orpheus and Eurydice. Featuring Iestyn Davies and Samantha Clarke, this European premiere melds soaring vocals, haunting visuals, and aerial acrobatics with music from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a chorus from Scottish Opera.
Cutting the Tightrope
Church Hill Theatre, 14-17 Aug, 7.30pm
Cutting the Tightrope is a collection of short political plays confronting censorship, resistance, and the role of the arts in turbulent times. Following a sell-out run in London, this unflinching production brings global struggles to the stage, demanding attention, amplifying silenced voices, and celebrating the power of artistic freedom.
Mary, Queen of Scots
Festival Theatre, 15-17 Aug, times vary
Renaissance meets punk in Scottish Ballet’s Mary, Queen of Scots – a reimagining of two rival queens bound by blood and divided by power. As Elizabeth I faces death, memories of Mary haunt her. Choreographed by Sophie Laplane, this world premiere mixes ambition, betrayal, and striking design into unforgettable dance theatre.
Faustus in Africa!
The Lyceum, 20-23 Aug, 7.30pm
Faustus in Africa! revisits the classic tale through the lens of colonialism and climate crisis. Directed by William Kentridge, this assured revival, 30 years after its original premiere, combines Handspring Puppet Company’s acclaimed puppetry with animation and music.
Figures in Extinction
Festival Theatre, 22-24 Aug, times vary
Crystal Pite and Simon McBurney join forces with Nederlands Dans Theater for a powerful fusion of dance, sound, and theatre confronting the climate crisis. With affecting imagery and urgent dialogue, this collaboration reflects on what we’re losing and seeks connection amid a world on the brink.