Artifact

The full-length ballet has always been synonymous with storytelling. But for William Forsythe, who's spent his career grafting a postmodern sensibility on to classical forms, the three- or four-act format is simply an extended canvas on which he can play with extravagantly diverse elements of theatre and dance. As the title of Artifact suggests, his own full-length ballets are objects whose meanings are created purely on the stage.

Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D

It is Mister Deka D's birthday. It is always Mister Deka D's birthday. He sits in the middle of the pub, a baby's smile on his ancient face, or perhaps an ancient smile on his baby face. He appears to be growing up through the floor which has risen up like a mountain range either side of him, as if some emotional earthquake has taken place.

Turandot

Edinburgh Playhouse Rating: **

Adam Bloom

Adam Bloom **** Pleasance Over The Road

Lovepuke

Lovepuke *** Gilded Balloon II

The House of Pootsie Plunket

You'd hardly expect Greek tragedy with a title like this, but that's what Canada's Catalyst Theatre delivers. It takes a while to realise that what you're seeing is part Gothic spoof of the great and terrible Canadian north, part Electra, and part sinister fairy tale.

Mainstream

We are all performers. We all put on a show. And we are all alone. The more information we have about each other in the global age, the less we seem to connect.

The Secret Life of Charlie Chaplin

This is a production that has all the panache and excitement of the jazz age allied to a play that has all the appeal of a warm cup of cocoa. One rather cancels the other out and the result is something that slips down easily but lacks any bite.

Theatre

Car Pleasance Cavern Rating: *****

Theatre

Captain Corelli's Mandolin Valvona & Crolla Rating: ** Last Train to Nibroc Observer Assembly Rating: **** Howie the Rookie Observer Assembly Rating: ***** The Nation's Favourite: the True Adventures of Radio 1 Pleasance Upstairs Rating: *** The Devil and Billy Markham Observer Assembly/Pleasance Rating: ***

Comedy

Dave Johns: I'm In The Attic, Mother Pleasance Attic Rating: *** Vic Henley Observer Assembly Rating: ****

Magic about

We have all made it to Minack Theatre at Land's End, safe and reasonably sound. The most amazing sight so far was Stonehenge. I was riding on top of the bus and Kit hollers through the driver's seat headset: "There it is dead ahead - Stonehenge!" I shaded my eyes and squinted at the distance. "Where?" "Right there!" And right there it was. Some hours later, the Atlantic ocean comes into view beyond the town of Tintangel. An intriguing place, Tintagel is filled with visitors who look perplexed as the bus slithers through its main street. The cry goes out, "We're searching for Merlin. Have you seen Merlin? What? You say he left?" Now we're the ones who are perplexed.