If you're having trouble navigting the masses of shows at Edinburgh this year, here's the ten you really shouldn't miss.
2401 Objects by Analogue
This is top of the list for a reason. Analogue theatre are a collection of brilliant minds and in this new show, they're exploring the mind, or rather the mind of Henry Molaison aka Patient H.M. who emerges from experimental brain surgery in the '50s with no recollection of the last two years of his life. In 2009 the dissecting of his brain was filmed and watched by 400,000 people all fascinated by what he could show us about memory.
Young Pretender by EV Crowe
After debuting at Royal Court Theatre, Crowe's dark writing was showcased at Clean Break's Charged series about women and the criminal justice system and at Edinburgh she presents a new take on Bonnie Prince Charlie. Her play looks at the learning curve of his mid-twenties amidst the chaos of war and impending defeat.
7 Day Drunk by Bryony Kimmings
Performance artist Bryony Kimmings, creator of the brilliantly personal Sex Idiot, explores her own rocky relationship with booze in what's bound to be a hilarious look at creativity under the influence.
Snap. Catch. Slam by Emma Jowett
One of the Analogue writers, Emma Jowett looks at something that fascinates a lot of screen writers – namely, that moment in a day or in a life when action or inaction can change everything. She presents a series of devastating short stories that examine those precise split seconds that decide our fate, if there even is such a thing.
White Rabbit Red Rabbit by Nassim Soleimanpour
We like this one for its originality. Nassim Soleimanpour has written a play that looks at the experience of a generation of Iranians forbidden to travel. Nassim turns his restrictions to his advantage and has created a piece that requires no director, no set and a different actor for every performance.
Dry Ice by Sabrina Mahfouz
As a poet and performer, Sabrina's works are fantastically lyrical. Plus, she used to work in strip clubs, which is what her new solo show is about. She quite openly admits that this kind of exposé taps into the voyeur in us all, and it looks at the story of a 24-year-old as she finds her place in the world with her art /drug dealer boyfriend and the eccentric characters who come her way.
The Secrets of Monkey Island by UWE Drama Society
Not about monkeys, let's just make that clear. Even better, it's about pirates. Presented by UWE Drama Society, this is a stage adaptation of a computer game and is on one the list for the sheer balls required to present a computer game as a theatre show. It's action adventure with an adaptable plot – damsels in distress and the like – so should work with plenty of room for comedy and nods to its original medium.
Waterproof by How it Ended
Luton is known for many things: the airport, Vauxhall, racism, terrorism and general thuggery, but Eva Sampson and Teresa Burns are about to put it on the map for theatre. In an ever-changing industrial town, Waterproof looks at Luton's only aquarium. Now closed to the public, it seems like there's only one person (and her goldfish) who care about holding on to memories. Expect a lot of props, like you've never seen before.
Death Song by You Need Me
Award-winning storytelling theatre company You Need Me return to Edinburgh with more of their poetic, visual narratives. With their new show, they tell the story of a Mexican immigrant on death row.
The Simple Things in Life presented by Fuel Theatre
This takes place outside the Edinburgh craziness in the Royal Botanical Gardens. It's risky and a bit experimental but go see it for the the calibre of artists involved: director David Harradine (Fevered Sleep) and choreographer Frauke Requardt (Electric Hotel), sound designer Lewis Gibson, The London Snorkelling Team and Barnaby Stone each present their own take on the simple things in life.
Click here to find out what else is happening at Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Add an event
Frieze Art Fair to launch new section for young galleries in 2012
Frieze have today announced details for the 2012 edition, their tenth art fair in London. Taking place...