EXXY

Back in Edinburgh after a much spoken about International show last year, Dan Daw and co bring us a piece about the values placed on individuals by society. Whatever else, you’re guaranteed provocation and humour whenever Daw is around.
King’s Theatre, 23 August, 7.30pm.

Taverna Miresia

A wordless exploration of memory and bereavement, this new theatre work by rising European star Mario Banushi has haunting singing, dreamlike flashbacks and a take on domestic spaces that verges on the surreal.
Church Hill Theatre, 26 & 27, 29 August, 8pm; 28 August, 5pm, 8.30pm.

Angels In America

At almost five hours (leavened by one lengthy interval), this will be one of those EIF productions that is certain to linger long in the mind. Writer Tony Kushner insists that this Dutch take from Ivo van Hove and Internationaal Theater Amsterdam is the best version he’s seen. 
King’s Theatre, 15 & 16, 18 & 19 August, 6pm; 20 August, 1pm.

A Masked Ball

Verdi’s 1859 opera is brought to vivid life by Zurich Opera. At its centre is a rather grim dilemma: Riccardo, the governor of Boston, is in love with his best friend’s wife. How far is Riccardo willing to go and how much is he prepared to risk for his happiness?
Festival Theatre, 26 & 27, 29 August, 7pm; 30 August, 2pm.

Mere Mortals

The legend of Pandora’s Box is brought bang up to date by San Francisco Ballet in this tech tale of obsession and AI. It all involves a meeting of great talents: choreographer Aszure Barton, with Floating Points performing his score live, accompanied by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Edinburgh Playhouse, 28–30 August, 8pm; 29 August, 3pm.

Global Ideas

Continuing its reputation as a city of ideas and debate, the EIF welcomes ex-PM Gordon Brown, documentary-maker Ken Burns, social justice activist Bryan Stevenson and journalist Amy Goodman, all of whom are hosted by Harvard professor and author Sarah Lewis (pictured).
King’s Theatre, 11 August, 4pm.

Orchestra Baobab

These Senegalese legends began making music in 1970, and after enormous success in Africa split up for over a decade, finally getting back together again in 2001. There’s even a new album to mark this occasion, the appropriately titled Made In Senegal.
The Hub, 28 August, 7pm.

Edinburgh International Festival, various venues, Edinburgh, Friday 7–Sunday 30 August; main picture: Hugo Glendinning.

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