Five of the best at Edinburgh

This year's festival highlights.

This year's festival highlights.

Ravenhill for Breakfast,Traverse Theatre

The "war on terror" forms the over-arching theme for Mark Ravenhill's (right) ambitious project to present 17 new plays during the course of the festival. With a different cast and director each day, it is proving a surprise hit.

The Bacchae,Kings Theatre

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John Tiffany's National Theatre of Scotland production, in a comic new version by David Greig, offers a stunning window into fifth-century Athenian society.

The Walworth Farce,Traverse Theatre

Druid Theatre Company and Enda Walsh deliver one of the most startling and physically demanding new productions to come out of Ireland in years. Ireland's only fringe-first winner thus far, and talk of a London transfer on the strength of this outing.

Kristen Schaal,Assembly Rooms

A truly original New York voice, and hotly tipped for an if.comedy nomination, Schaal takes the audience on a slightly unnerving, comedy character voyage through failed relationships and quirky visuals.

Scarborough,Assembly Rooms

Set in what must be one of the smallest sets ever to be assembled at the festival, this is a comic and emotional take on an unorthodox relationship, with nods towards Notes on a Scandal.