Highlights

highlights Theatre Steven Berkoff Love him or loathe him, a Fringe without Steven Berkoff is like paella without prawns. One Man is a trilogy of short, punchy pieces by Poe and Berkoff; and Requiem For Ground Zero is his lament for the victims of September 11. Royal Lyceum, July 31-August 2, 8pm, (pounds) 12 ((pounds) 10), 0131 248 4848 Dark Earth The hotly anticipated new drama by Scotland's acclaimed David Harrower. Urban meets rural when a Glasgow couple find themselves stranded in the country and throw themselves on the mercy of a farming family. Traverse, July 31-August 23 (not Mondays), times vary, (pounds) 14 ((pounds) 8.50/(pounds) 4), 0131-228 1404 Derevo - Islands In The Stream The astonishing Russian clown troupe return with their latest work of crazy, sinister, hilarious, unsettling genius. St Stephens, August 2-25 (not Thursdays) times vary, (pounds) 5-(pounds) 12, 0131-558 3853 The Kaos Titus Easily Cirencester's most exciting theatre company, Kaos Theatre now tackle Shakespeare's bloodiest tragedy, Titus Andronicus. Gateway Theatre, August 14-25 (not August 17), 3pm, (pounds) 10 ((pounds) 8), 031 317 3939 Pandora 88 The universe, as discovered by two men trapped in a box - tribute to ex-hostage Brian Keenan and 2001: A Space Odyssey director Stanley Kubrick. This typically unlikely premise is the work of Potsdam's inspired, award-winning Fabrik company.St Stephens, August 1-13, 7-11 and 13-19, (pounds) 10 ((pounds) 7.50), 0131 558 3853 The People Next Door Nigel just wants an easy life, but when his long-lost half-brother is fingered in a terrorism investigation he attracts unwelcome police attention. Traverse, July 30-August 23 (not Mons), times vary, (pounds) 14 ((pounds) 8.50/(pounds) 4), 0131 228 1404 Playing The Victim London's Told By An Idiot company present a play by Siberia's Presnyakov Brothers. In this philosophical farce a young man drops out of university to work for the police. Traverse, August 12-23 (not Mons), times vary, (pounds) 10 ((pounds) 7.50/ (pounds) 4), 0131 228 1404 The Straits The follow-up to Gregory Burke's debut play Gagarin Way which enjoyed a sell-out, critically lauded, award-winning run at the 2001 Fringe. Directed by John Tiffany - Gagarin Way's director - Burke's new drama draws on his own experience of growing up in Gibraltar and living through the Falklands War. Traverse, August 1-23 (not Mons), times vary, (pounds) 14 ((pounds) 8.50/(pounds) 4), 0131-228 1404 Thebans Glasgow playwright Liz Lochhead turns to the Greek myths of Oedipus, Antigone and Jocasta for another collaboration with Theatre Babel. Assembly Rooms, August 2-24 (not Mons), 3.15pm, (pounds) 5-(pounds) 12, 0131 226 2428 This Imaginary Woman In this cabaret-play - with live music by Patrick Fitzgerald - this founder member of Fringe stalwarts Volcano offers a sexy, celebratory requiem for "someone who didn't get one but deserved to". Smirnoff Underbelly, July 31-August 24 (not Suns or Mons), 6.15pm, (pounds) 6-(pounds) 10, 0870 745 3083 Tonight, We Fly - The Story Of Marc Chagall The Trestle Theatre Company present a vivid bioplay about the Belarus-born, France-based artist.George Square Theatre, August 14-24, 1.50pm, (pounds) 10 ((pounds) 8), 0131 662 8740 12 Angry Men Fringe veteran Guy Masterson hatches a plan he's been germinating for years. Reginald Rose's classic sweatlodge drama about jurors squabbling over a murder case is performed by a cast of Fringe glitterati including Stephen Frost, Bill Bailey and Phil Nicol. Assembly Rooms, August 1-24 (not August 11), 12.30pm, (pounds) 12-(pounds) 13, 0131-226 2428 Andrew Burnet Rock/Pop

DAVID GRAY It's easy to dismiss Gray, he of the bittersweet acoustic balladry dusted with overly polite dance beats. But in his decade-long career he's built up a persuasive body of work. He just has a way of getting under your skin with hummable tales of heartbreak and loss. Corn Exchange, August 15, 7.30pm, (pounds) 25, 0870 169 0100

ELBOW If you haven't experienced Elbow's grieving grooving, it can be overpowering at first. They specialise in heady organ mantras overlaid with singer Guy Garvey's near-whispered vocals, building up into something immense. Liquid Rooms, August 17, 7pm, (pounds) 10, 0870 169 0100

MANU CHAO Combining rock'n'roll with ska, afrobeat, salsa and an all-pervasive Latin tinge, Manu Chao is now an award-winning world music superstar, creating uplifting, hypnotic music. Corn Exchange, August 19, 7.30pm, (pounds) 14, 0870 169 0100

THE POLYPHONIC SPREE A group that make Blazin' Squad look like The White Stripes - in terms of membership, at least - this happy, clappy US troupe have converted thousands of UK nationals to their uplifting blend of orchestral brainwash-pop. Corn Exchange, August 24, 7.30pm, (pounds) 15, 0870 169 0100

JUNIOR SENIOR You'll already have experienced the Danish duo's catchy Move Your Feet, which crashed the charts two months ago, but there's a whole album of this stuff to enjoy. Liquid Rooms, August 26, 7pm, (pounds) 10, 0870 169 0100 Graeme Virtue Comedy

DANIEL KITSON - A MADE UP STORY Daniel Kitson reads one single, fictional, funny, serious story from a script, in a game attempt to annoy and disappoint the whatever 'observational comedy' fans he may have gained by winning the Perrier Award last year. Don't let him shake you off. The Pod, Festival Square, Lothian Rd, July 30, August 24 (Not Aug 5, 12), 10.30pm, (pounds) 5-(pounds) 14 ((pounds) 8- (pounds) 8.50), 0131 2289950

DEMETRI MARTIN - IF I Well regarded young Greek-American hotshot practising the kind of abstract, think-bubble comedy that would get him glassed in a working man's club. Assembly Rooms, George St, August 1-25 (Not 5, 12), 9.15pm,(pounds) 5-(pounds) 10.50, 0131 2262428

CHINESE HOROSCOPE COMPATIBILITY LOVE TEST SHOW What the hell are you doing with that pig? Wouldn't you be happier with an absolute dog? Are you some kind of sheep? All these questions will be answered by Paul Watson, who has achieved great wisdom in the cosmic field of Chinese animal horoscopes. Pleasance Dome, Bristo Square August 1-25 (Not 13), 10.55pm, (pounds) 5-(pounds) 9.50, 0131 556 6550

LIVE! AT THE MAUSOLEUM - THE EXPERTS OF WRONG Cicely Giddings and Abigail Burgess - two skilled, creepily convincing comics pretending to be demented characters who are, in turn, pretending to be verbose child geniuses and mechanical museum history guides. Not for everyone. Gilded Balloon Teviot, Bristo Square, August 1-24 (Not 11, 19), 4.30pm, (pounds) 4-(pounds) 8.50, 0131 226 2151

ROBERT NEWMAN - FROM CALIBAN TO TALIBAN All the trouble in the world provides an especially rich source of material for comedians this year. Robert Newman's show is an exhilarating, political- historical overload of powerful, meaningful jokes and obscure but relevant information you really need to see. George Square Theatre, August 22-24, 9.45pm, (pounds) 12.50 ((pounds) 8.50), 0131 6628740 Stephen Phelan Traditional music Terrafolk As well as Balkan traditions, this brilliant Slovenian quartet draw on Irish, Gypsy, Russian and Jewish influences.The Famous Spiegeltent (Venue 87), August 3-24, 3pm/10pm, (pounds) 10 ((pounds) 8), 0131 662 8740 The Camut Band's Life Is Rhythm Elements of flamenco, Broadway, African music, vaudeville and modern jazz-dance combine to electrifying effect in the hands - or rather feet - of this all-male Spanish troupe. St George's West Church (Venue 157), August 3-17, 9.30pm, (pounds) 12-(pounds) 13 ((pounds) 10-(pounds) 11), 0131 225 7048 BachuE Traditional music and Burns songs meet jazz, blues and contemporary-classical stylings, via three of the most imaginative musical minds in the business. Reid Hall, August 5, 9.15pm, (pounds) 10 ((pounds) 8), 0131 662 8740 John McCusker Band One of Scotland's hottest young fiddlers parades his creme-de-la-creme material. Queen's Hall, 20 August, 10.30pm, (pounds) 12 ((pounds) 6), 0131 668 2019 Cauld Blast Orchestra A rare home-town appearance by this resplendently unclassifiable nine-piece outfit. Queen's Hall, 24 August, 8pm, (pounds) 13 ((pounds) 11), 0131 668 2019 Sue Wilson Dance

NATS NUS DANSA, LOFT In an honest, evocative performance, the company presents a solo featuring a man confronted by his own video image. St Stephens, August 7-25 (not 13, 19), times vary, (pounds) 10 ((pounds) 7.50), 0131 558 3853

SHOW'N'OFF REVOLUTION Think Tap Dogs with fusion beats and a 'rawk' soundtrack and you get the idea with Revolution: Sex, Dance and Rock'n'Roll. Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, August 4-25 (not 10, 17), 8pm, (pounds) 12/(pounds) 10 ((pounds) 10/(pounds) 9), 0131 556 3102

EUROPEAN DANCE TRIPLE BILL Featuring Scottish choreographer Norman Douglas and his Ensemble Group with a new duet Cries And Whispers; Austria's Laroque Dance Company with And The Damage Done; and Willi Dorner, also Austrian, with No Credits and How Do You Want Me? Dance Base, August 7-16 (not 11), times vary, (pounds) 5-(pounds) 8, 0131 225 5525

SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE Peter Darrell's award-winning works, Beth Cassani's My House is Melting and Victor Quijada's Self Observation Without Judgement. Dance Base, August 7-16 (not 11), times vary, (pounds) 5-(pounds) 8, 0131 225 5525

FRESHMESS, INNIT INNAT - MAINTAIN Scotland's hip hop/contemporary fusion crew Freshmess present a sharp and very funky double bill with Innit Innat and Maintain. Dance Base, August 7-16 (not 11), times vary, (pounds) 5-(pounds) 8, 0131 225 5525

FABRIK/GRAVITY, FALLEN This study of falling - in both the emotional and physical sense - is the ultimate in crash and burn physical theatre. St Stephens, August 21-25, 7.45pm, (pounds) 10 ((pounds) 7.50), 0131 558 3853 Ellie Carr Classical

FESTIVAL OF BRITISH YOUTH ORCHESTRAS There are 57 concerts in all, beginning with overseas visitors JeugdOrkest Nederland and a programme that includes Shostakovich's most popular symphony, the fifth. NAYO@Central Hall, August 9, 7.30pm, (pounds) 3.50-(pounds) 8, 0131 229 2921 A BACH WEEKEND Enjoy a candle-lit concert of solo works for oboe (Gail Hennessy), soprano (Libby Crabtree), harpsichord and organ drawing from Anna Magdalena Bach's collection. There's also the B Minor Mass and Bach Brandenburgs & Masses. Late night Bach, Canongate Kirk, August 10, 10pm, (pounds) 6 ((pounds) 5); B Minor Mass, Canongate Kirk, August 9, 7.30pm, (pounds) 12 ((pounds) 9); Bach Brandenburgs & Masses, Canongate Kirk, August 8, 7.30pm, (pounds) 9 ((pounds) 6) Mahler symphony Scottish Sinfonia's annual Mahler symphony, this time the heart-breaking ninth. Greyfriars Kirk, August 24 and August 25, 5pm and 8pm, (pounds) 9 ((pounds) 7), 0131 667 2170 u Christopher Lambton Tickets available on 0131 226 0000; www.edfringe.com; www.tonthefringe.com

Copyright 2003 SMG Sunday Newspapers Ltd.
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