Best of the Fest

7-30 August 2015

From comedy, cabaret and conversation to dance, music and theatre, here are our collected highlights from the 2015 Edinburgh Festivals.

You can also click here to browse the entire collection of video and audio clips.

The Magic Flute

Paul Barritt and Suzanne Andrade on re-imagining Mozart's opera as a live-action cartoon.
Israel Galván

The acclaimed flamenco dancer on his most recent work, Lo Real.
The Harmonium Project

20,000 people attended the spectacular opening event of the Edinburgh International Festival.
EIF Conversations: Simon McBurney

Jamie MacDougall speaks to McBurney, whose play The Encounter premieres at the festival.
EIF Conversations: Robert Lepage

Jamie MacDougall talks to the playwright, actor and director about his new solo show 887.
EIF Conversations: Juliette Binoche

Deborah Bull talks to the French actress about her role in Antigone and more.
EIF Conversations: Sylvie Guillem

Deborah Bull talks to the celebrated dancer about her life and career.

Richard Coles

The Reverend discusses how he reconciled his old life with a more contemplative self.
Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon

The bestselling crime writer meets one of her best-known fans: Scotland’s First Minister.
Liz Lochhead

Scotland's current Makar (National Poet) discusses everything from Greek tragedy to her new play.
Michael Frayn

The author and playwright talks about Matchbox Theatre, his most daringly unusual book to date.
Jesse Jackson

One of the most respected civil rights activists of the 20th century discusses a life of campaigning.
Howard Jacobson

A conversation with the winner of the 2010 Man Booker Prize, who was also shortlisted last year.
George the Poet

The 24-year-old Cambridge-educated wordsmith presents Search Party, his first collection of verse.
Alan Johnson

The former Home Secretary discusses his book Please, Mister Postman, which paints a vivid picture of the 1970s.
The Female Gaze

A specially curated event, hosted by Kirsty Wark, featuring Jackie Kay, Maggie O’Farrell and Rachel McCrum
Stuart Evers and Dorthe Nors

The writers discuss the poetic, playful freedoms afforded by shorter form literature.
Claire Fuller and Nick Holdstock

The end appears to be nigh in these two sparkling debut novels.
Mexican Writing, An Insider's View with Gabriel Orozco

Orozco presents two of Mexico's most highly respected authors, Sergio González Rodríguez and Juan Villoro
Etgar Keret and Alain Mabanckou

The pair speak about their moving memoirs which challenge the meaning of home.
Sean Michaels and Anna Smaill

From Canada and New Zealand respectively, two debut novelists to keep an eye on.
Steel-plated survivor: Hyeonseo Lee

Bidisha takes a closer look at Lee's remarkable story of escape from the horrors of North Korea.
Alan Cumming in conversation

Janice Forsyth interviews Cumming about his memoir, Not My Father's Son.
Lynsey Addario: Highway to the danger zone

The photographer on a career which has taken her to some of the most dangerous warzones on the planet.
Irvine Welsh on his new novel

BBC Arts meets Irvine Welsh in Edinburgh ahead of the publication of A Decent Ride.