From the Fringe to the Book Festival, here’s ELLE’s pick of the best events happening at the seven summer festivals in the Scottish capital.

Circa: Wunderkammer

Imagine an elfin young woman balancing a seriously ripped hunk on her shoulders. Now picture them both in lacy lingerie. Throw in five more agile performers and you get Circa: Wunderkammer, an acrobatic troupe that mixes death-defying stunts with vaudeville humour. Until August 25th

Sarah Pascoe

Smart-girl Sarah Pascoe is fast becoming a big name on the comedy circuit. Her new Fringe routine is an hour of entertaining existential musings peppered with amusing personal anecdotes and the odd right-on rant. Until August 26

An Actor’s Lament

This witty play gives audiences a glimpse of what it’s like stage-side. Steven Berkoff and Andree Bernard play thesps talking board-treading over more than a few drinks. Until August 20

The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape

This award-winning mime act invites game audience members onto the stage for a series of hilarious sketches involving classic pop anthems and seemingly random props. Full on fun. Until August 24

Best Burlesque

You can’t do the Fringe without catching a midnight show and this is a diverting option. Saucy strip tease acts mix with magicians and music in front of a lively crowd. Until August 25

The Poet Speaks

A rare chance to hear punk icon Patti Smith read her own poetry with piano accompaniment from minimalist composer Philip Glass. Both pay tribute to their Beat Poet friend Allen Ginsberg. August 13

Writing Under The Influence

Famed feminist author Margaret Atwood talks about the joys of storytelling and the different channels through which stories reach us today – novels, films, TV and computer games. Writers Naomi Alderman and Valerie Martin join the discussion. August 25

Hamlet

This edgy version of Shakespeare’s play comes from a New York theatre group dubbed, ‘the Rolling Stones of experimental theatre’. It also features the creative use of archive footage - Richard Burton in a 1964 Broadway performance. 10-13 August

LA Dance Project

Benjamin Millepied not only choreographed Black Swan, he also married the film’s star Natalie Portman. This dance collective performs both his new and classic choreography. 24-26 August

Comedy Awards Show

A chance to see the contenders for the Fringe’s top comedy award – past winners include Emma Thompson, Steve Coogan and The League of Gentlemen. 25 August

edinburghfestivals.co.uk.

Highlights from Edinburgh's International Film Festival 2013

ELLE's Festival Guide 2013