Did you catch it? Images from Edinburgh's festivals

  • Published
Juliette Binoche
Image caption,
The festivals that make Edinburgh in August one of the most exciting cities in the world are drawing to a close. World-renowned French actress Juliette Binoche was one of the stars of the Edinburgh International Festival, which draws to a close this weekend. She played Antigone to packed audiences at the King's Theatre, in the Sophokles tragedy, directed by Ivo van Hove. All pictures by Ivon Bartholomew
Image caption,
The Edinburgh Fringe will end its three-week run on Monday and it is not all comedy. Cuban dance company Balletronic performed a sensual fusion of classical and contemporary live music and dance at the Pleasance Grand.
Image caption,
The Fringe had a brand new venue dedicated to circus performance. The Circus Hub on the Meadows saw two semi-circular big tops stage a diverse, spectacular and technically-ambitious collection of performances from 11 separate international acts.
Image caption,
The art festival has also been taking place in the city. David Bailey’s Stardust at the National Galleries of Scotland saw the photographer select more than 300 of his images, paintings and sculptures from his illustrious career.
Image caption,
Edinburgh's Royal Mile is the open air stage for street performers of all types
Image caption,
At the International Festival, Eva Dewaele, ballet mistress for one of Europe’s leading ensembles, Ballett Zurich, performed in British choreographer Wayne McGregor's new work Kairos at the Playhouse Theatre.
Image caption,
Also at the International Festival, Dragon featured fast-moving physical theatre, puppetry and original music. Created by Vox Motus, the National Theatre of Scotland and Tianjin Children’s Art Theatre, it tells the story of Tommy whose life, since the death of his mother, has gone from bad to worse.
Image caption,
Back on the Fringe and Scotland's own Grid Iron Theatre Company has been performing Light Boxes, directed by Finn den Hertog (currently known to TV audiences as Willie from Outlander).
Image caption,
Head-to-Head at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Queen Street showcases portrait sculpture from across the National Galleries of Scotland.
Image caption,
Former Goodies' star Tim Brooke-Taylor was the narrator in Scottish Opera's special concert performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore at the Usher Hall.
Image caption,
Six daredevils from La Meute astonished audiences at the Circus Hub with the spectacular circus skill of Russian Swing.
Image caption,
Puddles Pity Party has built up more than 100,000 fans worldwide on Facebook and more than 20 million views on YouTube. Currently on a world tour, acclaimed baritone Michael Geier roamed Edinburgh as Puddles the Clown, without uttering a single word and sang his sad anthems at his comedy cabaret show at the Assembly venue in George Square Gardens.
Image caption,
Award-winning Australian cabaret star Robert Hofmann performs a whirlwind of characters at his show Desperately Young at Heart
Image caption,
Legendary Canadian director, playwright and 'visual wizard', Robert Lepage returned to Edinburgh to perform the European premiere of his new work. 887 is a foray into the world of memory, as Lepage recalls his own experience as a French-speaking child during the October Crisis of 1970, when violent action by the Front de libération du Québec provoked the invocation of the War Measures Act, bringing troops onto the streets of the province.
Image caption,
Mozart’s The Magic Flute, directed Barry Kosky blended animated film and live action in a spectacular kaleidoscope of 1920s silent movies, Weimar cabaret, the dark humour of Edward Gorey and German expressionism.
Image caption,
Iván Fischer conducted and directed a specially-staged concert of Mozart’s sparkling farce, The Marriage of Figaro, at the Playhouse Theatre.