Watch out for the George Free travelling spotlight on extraordinary performers offering (nearly) free show extracts, production tasters, and great auditions, coming to a spot near you. Details from July 1st. www.festivals.ed.ac.uk

Bigger, better, bangier than before! Brainiac's most explosive TV scientist is back; testing jelly babies to destruction. A "pyrothechnic extravaganza" [Daily Mail] featuring: spontaneously combusting dancing jelly babies; Barny the S.A.S. trained stunt ballet banana; interpretive dance bottom-burp ignition... "Silly, crazy, dirty, dangerous and magnificent" [Daily Telegraph] live science for kids.

Join leading theatre professionals for a morning Q&A on Musical Theatre and be first to hear the nominations for the MTM:UK Awards, then return in the evening for a showcase of nominated shows.

You can book tickets for this show (as well as many others) from the Edinburgh Comedy Festival website.

A cracking cabaret to start the day. Discover your inner Pharaoh with this timeless Egyptian tale of witty words, catchy tunes, multi-instrumental virtuosity and oodles of style from our prodigiously talented duo. With multiple BBC credits stacked between them, singer-songwriter Casson and cutting-edge percussionist Brannick sparkle in a treasure of a show.Directed by Tom Blackmore.

You can book tickets for this show (as well as many others) from the Edinburgh Comedy Festival website.

Join Ban and Dan on an exciting musical adventure! Heroes, Monsters, and Misterstourworm – the biggest, most horrible baddie of them all… Will good triumph over evil? Will Ban and Dan finish their story? Weaving its way through enchanting soundscapes and mythological creatures this is a journey not to be missed! Join the adventure at www.misterstourworm.com
You can book tickets for this show (as well as many others) from the Edinburgh Comedy Festival website.

Chloe wants the High Life, Katie wants the Good Life. Oscar likes his new life and Charlie preferred his old one. As for Ken, he just wants a new thermos flask and a bit of peace. A new musical comedy about life, love and power cuts.

You can book tickets for this show (as well as many others) from the Edinburgh Comedy Festival website.

A musical in development. Two teenagers: a white boy who’s gay and a girl who’s Muslim. A rare friendship, which those around cannot easily accept. And soon she must marry. Set in nineties London – a musical for today. This is a 45-minute excerpt of a new musical in development and your feedback will be very welcome.

You can book tickets for this show (as well as many others) from the Edinburgh Comedy Festival website.

Inspiring experienced professional directors, choreographers, and creators of Musical Theatre will offer masterclasses for aspiring professional practitioners as part of the George Free programme. Details from 1st July on. www.festivals.ed.ac.uk

Follow the Piper in pursuit of your dreams. Packed with music & magic, this show is for anyone who wants to feel good about life!

You can book tickets for this show (as well as many others) from the Edinburgh Comedy Festival website.

Find out how to apply to drama school, prepare for audition and suvive the highly competitive world of acting. Expert advice, insider top-tips plus loads of information to take away.

YMT:UK return to Edinburgh with Missing Mel, a dramatic new musical about a missing teenager charting the impact and fallout on her peers. Following 2005’s acclaimed Goblin Market and 2007's award-winning Force 9½, director Pete Gallagher and writers Conor Mitchell and Kath Burlinson return with this world premiere, featuring some of the UK’s most up-and-coming young musical theatre talent.

There is an extra show in the 15th at 20:30, tickets: £10 /£7.

A toy city magically comes alive, leading two children on an incredible adventure. Bursting with surprises, extraordinary characters and fantastic puppets. Follow Philip and Lucy into an enchanting world. A fun-filled Edith Nesbit story with a uniquely beautiful set and original score. From the team behind ‘Enchanted Castle’ “Young ones will be captivated…an hour of fun” (Guardian).

Mrs Wobble is a waitress. The only trouble is, she wobbles… Forbidden Theatre Company brings stories from Allan Ahlberg’s Happy Families to life, with help from Mr Biff the Boxer and Mrs Plug the Plumber. Fun for children of all ages. 'Imaginative' Time Out on ‘Stung’ www.forbidden.org.uk

Hear about the king who grew donkey's ears, the clever goddess Athena, and a little boy who learned to fly. Three actors present the most exciting stories ever told, with songs, audience participation, friendly monsters and silly hats. Ages 3-6 (children must be accompanied). 31/07, 9/08, 21/08 – Perseus. 02/08, 14/08, 23/08 – Theseus. 07/08, 16/08 – King Midas

One boy. Two Hearts. Alone in his hospital bed Cuddy plays a waiting game where life meets death in a single heartbeat. Music, puppetry and humour combine in this magical tale for everyone over 9 that has a heart ... or two. www.theemptyspace.org.uk

For primary school children, Andrew Clover – Dad, Perrier Nominee, writer of the Sunday Times column Dad Rules – is doing four special shows which mix stand-up, silly impressions, and stories about princesses, aliens, and a dog that’s scared of Chiwawas. THREE SHOWS ONLY!!! “The wild man of comedy comes of age” Time Out. ***** Scotsman

In a colourless world can you help Bear survive? Hope, colour and pure kaleidoscopia, intertwining puppetry, comedy and live musicians, oh and a pianist playing on his head! NSDF08 Winners present an award winning spectacular certain to enchant young and old alike ***** - Ribcaged, edinburghguide.com. Oh wait … Don’t forget your paintings kids!

In 1917 five photographs of Faeries sparked debates around the world. Could Faeries exist? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believed & Harry Houdini did not. This magical, mysterious, enchanting musical will leave you wondering - do Faeries really exist? Previewed across Scotland over the last three years, SLP presents the official World Premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe2008. Do you believe?

You can book tickets for this show (as well as many others) from the Edinburgh Comedy Festival website.

Follow the rags to riches tale of Aladdin, a poor street boy on the wrong side of the track, who finds love against the odds. Exciting street dance, soulful singing and an 'original score'! This new musical is retold with an 'Urban Flavour', ... A feel good family show!

You can book tickets for this show (as well as many others) from the Edinburgh Comedy Festival website.

A pig-headed soldier crashes through the window of an abandoned sanatorium. After an altercation with Death he now comes face to face with two maniacal nurses. Treatment begins with institutional macaroni, but their guilty fantasies turn sour when they discover his magical secret...for which there is no cure. 'Thought provoking and disturbing…great entertainment' Buxton Fringe Review.