What's On Scotland 4-11 Aug: Edinburgh International Festival & more

The festival that began it all, the Edinburgh International Festival, kicks off today and we couldn't be more excited. Famous on the world stage (ha ha) for its cutting edge programme of theatre, opera, dance, and music, this year's programme is no different, themed around the question "where do we go from here?".

Highlights from the performance programme include a visionary staging of Euripides' Trojan Women, told through the imperialist history of Korean Comfort Women, a remarkable, meta exploration of Lars Von Trier's Dogville in Dusk, and a gorgeous dance exploration of the depths and brutality of love and relationships, costumed by Dior (pictured).

There's also great music, from Alison Goldfrapp to Project Smok, and an array of symphonies and classical music. You can browse the full programme here and make sure to look into their concession tickets for students, under 26s, arts workers, low income benefit recipients, and D/deaf and disabled audience members.

ADVERTISEMENT | THE DEATH & LIFE OF ALL OF US
Summerhall, Edinburgh. 2-27 Aug, 11:30am
At 19, Victor found his long-lost great-aunt Marcelle in Rome. She'd moved from Judaism to Christianity, Lebanon to Italy, changed her name and kept a life-long secret. He started making a documentary about her life. 20 years later, he still hasn’t completed it... Victor Esses returns to Summerhall with a funny and poignant exploration of family secrets, shame, and embracing our imperfections. ‘A beautiful story spanning continents and generations’ ***** (AYoungerTheatre.com on 'Where to Belong').

Nicolas Party: Cretaceous
The Modern Institute, Glasgow. until 23 Sep
Taking its name from the last geological period to end in mass extinction, this exhibition is a symbolic confrontation of our relationship with the planet, exploring themes of deep time, geology, and climate crisis through a series of pastels and oil on copper. Image: Patrick Jameson.

Funeral
ZOO Southside, Edinburgh. 4-27 Aug, various times
The ritual of performance meets the ritual of death in this gorgeous immersive mediation on mortality. Devised by experimental Belgian company Ontroerend Goed, Funeral breaks the traditional confines of staging to examine the ways we are all drawn into grief. Image: Ans Brys.

ADVERTISEMENT | A Comedy of Operas
Pleasance at EICC, Edinburgh. 2-27 Aug, various times
A spectacular love story, set in the striking and colourful world of opera. A Comedy of Operas fuses pop hits with the world’s favourite arias – including many you didn’t realise you already knew! Highly original, sublimely talented, utterly hilarious. Five exceptional singers star in this show enjoyed around the globe. This is opera for everyone.

★★★★★ ‘Will make you beam with joy.’ Time Out

Small Town Boys
Dundee Rep, Dundee. 8-12 Aug, 7:30pm
A mesmerising exploration of the escapism and freedom of queer nightlife during the 1980s AIDS crisis, Small Town Boys uses dance and spoken word in the immersive space of Kings nightclub to tell the tale of a young man escaping his small hometown. Image: Maria Falconer.

EHFM's Festival Party
Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh. 5 Aug, 11pm
Kick the festival off right with this late-night party from the folks behind community radio station EHFM. Regular radio DJs Feena (pictured), Percy Main, Rosehips and St. Sunday play a b2b2b2b set, spanning and blending genres for a no-holds-barred journey into dance music. Image: Celine Antal.

↪ Stereo Presents: Ariel Zetina
Stereo, Glasgow. 5 Aug, 11pm
Glasgow may not have the extra late night licensing that Edinburgh does in August but it makes up for it in equal star power. Find Chicago-based producer Ariel Zetina in Stereo, infusing traditional techno with notes of Chicago house, Brazilian punta, and queer club. Image: 3 Feet Hi.

→ So You Think You’re Funny
Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh. 5-24 Aug, various times
Comedy competition So You Think You're Funny? is well known for discovering and nurturing some of our best comedy talent, from Aisling Bea to Ivo Graham. Find various heats through the month, culminating in their grand finale at the end of the Fringe.

→ Yann Tiersen + QUINQUIS
The Liquid Room, Edinburgh. 8 Aug, 7pm
Acclaimed composer, known for his film scores for the likes of Amélie and Goodbye Lenin, is embarking on an eco-tour with fellow musician QUINQUIS, taking a sailboat round various Celtic towns, ports and islands.