Edinburgh Festival: Physical theatre and circus highlights

Various venues, throughout August

When it comes to international dance, contortion, daring feats and impressive tricks this year’s Fringe programme has 14 pages dedicated to the many and varied acts vying for audiences across the capital.

Dance styles, including Spanish flamenco, Egyptian belly dancing, Japanese jazz fusion, Chinese folk and contemporary African, are interspersed with all kinds of circus acts as well as artful choreography that broaches some difficult subject matters.

The Artist, which is suitable for children five and over, is a solo physical theatre and contemporary circus show by award-winning Thom Monckton and Circo Aereo, directed by Sanna Silvennoinen. The pair were also responsible for smash hit The Pianist. It charts the creation process – beginning with the dreaded blank canvas. (Assembly Roxy – Upstairs)

For the adults, meanwhile, Circus-cision is a late-night variety show featuring some of the hottest circus superstars of the Fringe.

Hosted by Head First Acrobats it is a mash-up of Spiegeltent legends and home-grown favourites. (Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows – The Beauty)

Alba Flamenca looks to be a colourful celebration of the fierce and explosive dance style of Spain. The venue is intimate so you can get up close with the dancers in this Mediterranean fiesta. Outwith Fringe time, Flamenco classes also run at the venue (74 East Crosscauseway).

If it’s more traditional dance you seek then Ballet Ireland’s production of Giselle is sure to hit the spot. Choreographed by Ludovic Ondiviela, a former Royal Ballet dancer and choreographer, it is a modern re-telling of the romantic classic about betrayal and the redemptive power of love.

Betrayed by Albrecht, Giselle dies of a broken heart but her spirit returns to forgive her now repenting lover and protect him from death (Dance Base – Studio 1).

Featuring a line-up that includes the two-time world champion BMX flatlander, two world champion breakdancers, an internationallyacclaimed basketball freestyler, and an exceptional acrobat, 360 Allstars is something of a fusion of the artistry that emerges from street culture (Assembly Hall).

Juggling is the specialism of group Gandini, who present 8 Songs: a combination of the music of acts such as Bob Dylan, Velvet Underground and the Rolling Stones with their skill (Assembly Roxy – Central).

Ballet Ireland’s production of Giselle.