Edinburgh's theatre, live music and comedy venues offer the great, the grand and the intimate, writes Michael MacLeod? As featured in our Edinburgh city guideThe Scottish parliamentOne of the best free shows in Edinburgh is likely to be found at the Scottish parliament. It's a hugely popular tourist attraction and current first minister Alex Salmond thrives off the attention as the undisputed star of the show. The SNP leader has some entertaining contenders too. The best time to visit Holyrood is on Thursdays when first minister's question time is held. Call in advance for a ticket though, as seats in the public gallery tend to fill up fast. ? Foot of the Royal Mile, Holyrood, 0131-348 5200, 0800 092 7600, scottish.parliament.uk. Free. Opens 10am with last entry 3.30pmTraverse TheatreNew works take centre stage here, with a truly alternative programme often tackling edgy topics. There's a terrifically imaginative programme of audience engagement initiatives too, such as A Play, A Pie and A Pint where you can watch a 45-minute play over lunch then talk to the writers and cast in the brilliant bar-cafe. Untitled Projects, who last year transformed the Traverse into an astro-turfed garden, will take that experimentation a step further this October with The Salon Project: inviting the audience to take part in an imagination of an opulent 19th-century Parisian salon. Each guest has their measurements taken when booking tickets and will be costumed in full period evening dress, an idea typical of the theatre's audacious artist in residence, Stewart Laing. ? 10 Cambridge Street, 0131-228 5383, traverse.co.uk. Box office open 10am-6pm, tickets start from �6 with one free ticket for every 10 booked for groupsFestival TheatreDon't be fooled by the modern glass-fronted facade, they've been putting on shows at this site for more than 180 years. With one of the largest stages in the city and 1,900 seats, the Festival Theatre is a favourite of Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera. It is also a key venue in the annual international festival. The rest of the year it's a good bet for family friendly musicals and, more recently, big-name comedians. Some performances are accompanied by British Sign Language (BSL) signing for the hard of hearing. ? 13/29 Nicolson Street, 0131-529 6000, fctt.org.uk/festival_theatre. Box office open 10am-6pm, tickets from �18 with group discounts on bookings of eight or moreKing's TheatreFondly regarded as the city's pantomime hub, the King's has a great tradition as a variety theatre and is well used by local amateur groups. The Edinburgh Gang Show, performed by local scouts and guides, has been on the calendar here since 1960. The theatre's furnishings have fallen victim to its own success, with heavy usage leaving much of the theatre looking worn. A refurbishment project is due to continue into 2012 and will see a new box office and improved disabled access. Despite being A-listed, the 1906 building is very much alive as an example of heritage continuing to meet demand. ? 2 Leven Street, 0131-529 6000, fctt.org.uk/kings_theatre. Box office open 10am-6pm, tickets from �10Church Hill TheatreBuilt in 1892, this former church is now one of Scotland's leading non-professional theatres. You're likely to catch adaptations along the lines of Rent, Footloose and Copacabana. Owned by the city council, "the Churchy" is a busy hub of the Morningside community thanks to the independently owned Loopy Lorna's Cafe, which, along with the box office, takes up most of the ground floor. Upstairs, the auditorium holds 350 and its large stage is popular with most of Edinburgh's non-professional theatre and dance companies. ? 33 Morningside Road, 0131-447 7597, assemblyroomsedinburgh.co.uk/theatre. Box office opening times vary so check in advance, tickets start at �5The PlayhouseAll the big musical tours stop off here; Scotland's biggest theatre ? with 3,000 seats. Period features from the 1929 building's previous role as a cinema remain intact, but its popularity is mainly down to mainstream programming: the Britain's Got Talent tour, Les Mis�rables and Jimmy Carr are all regulars. Balcony seats are unforgettably cramped, so seek out floor seats if you have the choice. Thanks to its design, built into the steep Greenside slope, there are great views of the orchestra pit wherever you sit. ? 18-22 Greenside Place, 0844 947 1660, edinburghplayhouse.org.uk. Box office open from noon to 8pm (6pm on non show days), tickets from �12Bedlam TheatreThe UK's oldest student-run company is based in this imposing 1864 former church building. Despite its grand exterior, the auditorium holds just 92 people. Poetry readings, comedy sketch shows, bold musicals and the Fat Cat Cafe keep the theatre buzzing even after the fringe. The city's own improv troupe, The Improverts, play every Friday at 10.30pm with a show based entirely on audience suggestions ? a recipe they've relied on for three decades. Bedlam is heaps of fun and rightly treasured by its supporters. Writing workshops and open auditions mean the theatre's red door is always open to those keen to take part. ? 11B Bristo Place, 0131-225 9893, bedlamtheatre.co.uk. Box office only open during show hours, ticket prices vary from free to �10 during the fringeUsher HallMajor orchestras, high-profile music-makers and pop titans, including Adele, make the Usher Hall's lineup consistently world class. Classical music lovers are well catered for by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra ? each has performances regularly throughout the year. A series of daytime concerts allows Scotland's younger musical talent the chance to perform. A fourth bar has been added with the construction of a new glass wing, with efforts made to improve disabled access. ? Lothian Road, 0131-228 1155, usherhall.co.uk. Box office open 10am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, tickets from �10Royal Lyceum TheatreThe Lyceum's own performing company puts on seven shows every year, employing 50 full-time staff. They tend to rework classics, traditionally tackling a Shakespeare play each year ? it's lovely to return more than once and see the same faces performing in new roles. The Victorian building's 658-seat auditorium feels cosy and grand at the same time, with stunning ornate plasterwork throughout. It's not all tradition though: the Lyceum's artistic director Mark Thomson is renowned for his ambitious productions, with John Clifford's Faust 1 and 2 among brave adaptations staged recently. ? Grindlay Street, 0131-248 4848, lyceum.org.uk. Box office open 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday, tickets for previews are �5, Wed/Sat matinee tickets are �16 and Saturday evening show prices start at �14.50Ross BandstandThis landmark open-air venue in Princes Street Gardens, at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, is only used a handful of times a year. It currently hosts orchestral fireworks concerts during the festival and the likes of Biffy Clyro and Primal Scream at Hogmanay but could soon become a lot busier. Talks are ongoing between current owners, the local council, and prospective events companies to stage concerts throughout the year. Worth a visit for the view alone, although the bandstand itself is deemed a "crumbling eyesore" by the local newspaper, which has campaigned for the 1935 structure to be revamped. ? West Princes Street Gardens, 0131-221 6335, Events Edinburgh:Ross Bandstand. Gates open from 7am to 7pm in summer, closing at 5pm in winter? Michael MacLeod writes for the GuardianEdinburghTop 10sUnited KingdomShort breaksCity breaksCultural tripsTheatreComedyMichael MacLeodguardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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