The Dark Room

Do you want to escape from a dark room in which a floating head ‘helps’ you win a prize? Interactive fun for the brave and curious (cue manic theatrical laughter).
Underbelly, Cowgate, 0844 545 8252, 3–25 Aug (not 14), 8.40pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9). Previews 1 & 2 Aug, £6.

Knightmare Live

Those who remember the late 80s/early 90s CITV show will be delighted/terrified by a stage version. Are you brave enough to don the ‘immortal helmet of justice’?
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, 3–25 Aug (not 14), 5.30pm, £10.50–£11.50 (£9.50–£10.50). Previews 31 Jul–2 Aug, £7.

Casual Violence

Already compared to Roald Dahl and The Twilight Zone, these five ‘sketch villains’ will bring you House of Nostril, a bleak tale of ‘terror, tyranny and taxidermy’.
Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 5–25 Aug, 3.45pm, £7.50–£9.50 (£6.50–£9). Preview 4 Aug, £6.

Paul Gannon Aint Afraid of No Ghost

Two years ago, Gannon’s childhood dream to be a ghostbuster (that film has a lot to answer for) came true and here he takes you on a spooky odyssey of psychic theatre tours, haunted houses, co-writing a song with Sigourney Weaver and getting dating advice from Derek Acorah. 
The Caves, 556 5375, 3–25 Aug (not 13), 5.20pm, £7–£10. Previews 1 & 2 Aug, £5.

Comedy Death

To the stand-up comedian, there’s nothing more gruesome than a bad gig. Card Ninja guy Javier Jarquin introduces comics telling their tales of woe in a show subtitled ‘True Horror Stories from the Circuit’. Strong stomachs required.
Dram House Upstairs, 226 0000, 3–24 Aug (not 12, 19), 3.30pm, free.