Edinburgh Competition Entries

The following shows have entered the NSDF and Methuen Drama Edinburgh Emerging Artists' Competition 2009:

Goldsmiths Drama Society

The Ballroom @ The Counting House 38 West Nicholson St 0131 667 7533

Seven individuals on a journey of self-realisation. The action pivots around a jury table - opinions thrown across it and fantasies enacted on it. This fast-paced play blurs the distinction between fantasy and reality.

Lux Lucis Productions

The Zoo, 140 The Pleasance • 0131 662 6892

Latimer has lost his reflection after three years in solitary confinement. On release he must search for an elusive identity. His reintegration and the consequences for those closest to him play out against shifting optical illusions. www.luxlucisproductions.com

Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 38 West Nicholson Street • 0131 667 7533

Dark musical comedy, inspired by Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure', combining high ritual with sordid cabaret to satirise society and descend into madness. Ideal if you like your pianos thrust upon and your champagne straight from the magnum.

3BUGS Fringe Theatre

Sweet ECA, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place or Lady Lawson Street • 0870 241 0136

A Russian folktale told in the dark. A witch with iron teeth. A girl with a kind heart. Open your imagination to a performance engaging all five of your senses. A family show: hearing is believing.

Morgan and West

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 13 Bristo Square • 0131 622 6552

An evening of magic, mystery and whimsy. Magical duo Morgan and West demnsrate their powers of dupery, hoodwinking and confabulation in this Victorian parlour magic show. Hold onto your top hates, there's not a whote rabbit in sight!

Magdalen College School

Sweet ECA, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place or Lady Lawson Street • 0870 241 0136

A twisted re-imagining of Macbeth, brought to life in the glitz of Hollywood's golden age. Big Mac is a darkly comic tale of shattered dreams, sure to delight and shock. Smart new writing, effortlessly theatrical, deadly funny.

Goldsmiths Drama Society

The Ballroom @ The Counting House 38 West Nicholson St 0131 667 7533

One family, five underground leaders. Set in a surreal post-recession Britain, 'Black Swans' takes the question of power to the extreme. Through poetry, prose and vocal harmony, this self-written play promises to challenge and provoke.

Queen Mary Theatre Company

The Space @ Venue 45, 39 Jeffrey Street • 0845 508 8387

Jasper and Charlie have been evicted; join them on this not-so-epic quest to discover why. Surrounded by surreal characters, Charlie finds it hard to get the sympathy he deserves as Jasper trains his Pokémon!

Curious Directive

The Zoo, 140 The Pleasance • 0131 662 6892

Titus plans to escape the stifling ritual of home - risky when you live in Gormenghast ... 'Inspired puppetry, movement and live music' (Scotsman) plus an exploded armchair bring Mervyn Peake's hidden gem of classic fantasy to life.

Sell a Door Theatre Company

The Spaces @ Royal College of Surgeons, Nicholson St  0845 508 8515

Soap Box Cafe, London. Three men. Whose cause is most righteous? Who deserves to die? Muhammad has a mission. George has a history. Charles has a theory. They all have their orders. Who'll follow them? www.selladoor.com

Running Torch Theatre Company

The Space @ Venue 45, 39 Jeffrey St 0845 5088387

This racing reworking of Chaucer's classic stories, set in the Cabbage and Snail is a funny feel-good romp. Free drink with your ticket so come join the pilgrims on their wild, saucy and musical journey.

Tabard Productions

C too, St Columba's Bay by the Castle, Johnston Terrace • 0845 260 1234

Seven pilgrims unite in Southwark and 'shorten their way' with tales of swyving, adventure and some very naughty chickens. Join Geoff Chaucer and fellowship in this critically-acclaimed stage adaptation, and make your way ... to Canterbury! www.tocanterbury.co.uk

Queen Mary Theatre Company

The Space @ Venue 45, 39 Jeffrey Street • 0845 508 8387

Five girls. One house. One word. Trouble. Caterwaul delves into the drama young lives endure. A journey undertaken by the audience and characters alike, not only will you question the girls' judgement, but also your own.

Fusion

C, Chambers Street • 0845 260 1234

Brand new musical comedy from award-winning writer Andy Evans. Join zombie hunters SURGE in their fight against the mutants taking over Earth. Catchy original songs, explosive special effects, stunning performances! www.zombieshow.com

Find a Penny in Association with Drama Centre London

C cubed, Brodie's Close, Lawnmarket, Royal Mile • 0845 260 1234

A mother. A daughter. A dark secret. A long-lost son who returns home unrecognised. Albert Camus' seminal tale of murder and mistaken identity.

Goldsmiths Drama Society

The Ballroom @ The Counting House 38 West Nicholson St 0131 667 7533

Devised from people's thoughts scribbled on toilet doors, we see snippets of a selection of bizarre characters' obsessions, heartbreak and general crudeness. The piece is entirely collaborative and gives a new twist to the phrase 'toilet humour'.

Zig-Zag Creations

The Zoo, 140 The Pleasance • 0131 662 6892

This risqué adaptation of Marlowe's classic sees the seven deadly sins take centre stage to perform an outrageous show unlike any other. Dare you risk your own soul by joining Faustus and entering this world of depravity?

Reverend Productions

C soco, Chambers Street and Cowgate • 0845 260 1234

A new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic romantic comedy. Join would-be matchmaker Emma Woodhouse as she dreams and schemes her way through life, little guessing that she may find a happily ever after of her very own.

The Oxford Revue

Underbelly, 56 Cowgate (entrances on Cowgate and Victoria Street) • 08445 458 252

Oxford University's celebrated sketch comedy group returns for another knockout punch. Alumni from almost 50 years of comedy include Michael Palin, Al Murray, Alan Bennett and many more. 'Expect the unexpected. Only hilarity is guaranteed' (Daily Info, 2009).

Fat Toad Theatre Company

C, Chambers Street • 0845 260 1234

Outrageous new musical comedy following the lives of five people struggling to lose weight. Should weight loss and happiness come hand in hand - or should we just embrace the chubby chaser inside all of us?

Theatre Oikos

The Zoo, 140 The Pleasance • 0131 662 6892

What constitutes home? Using dance, comedy and physical theatre this vibrant young theatre company explore the attitude of British people towards immigrants. Home examines the importance of our origins and acknowledges the outsider in all of us.

Rashdash Productions

Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristro Place • 0131 225 9893

Charlotte and Sophie were going to make perfect wives. Suddenly it no longer seemed possible ... RashDash relish in live music and full-bodied physicality that is heartfelt and joyfully irreverent - Both feminist and funny (Times).

Queen Mary Theatre Company

The Space @ Venue 45, 39 Jeffrey Street • 0845 508 8387

Fast forward to the not too distant future, and follow the lives of seven people after a civil war has ravaged the country. Can they be saved? Even in their darkest hour?

STaG

Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place • 0131 225 9893

Winner of STaG's New Writing Festival, following 2008's Dear Theo... **** (ThreeWeeks). As Emma is swept away into dreams, David struggles with his conscience. Memories collide, while people fade in and out of focus.

Flying High Youth Theatre

Augustine's 41 George IV Bridge • 0131 510 0022

Ten pieces of jigsaw representing ten young minds join a youth theatre to perform the play 'Spring Awakening' at the Festival Fringe. Each person/piece has its own story/shape/picture but will they fit together in time?

SUDS

Underbelly, 56 Cowgate (entrances on Cowgate and Victoria Street) • 08455 458 252

Absurd, fantastical and flamboyant characters weave their stories into Boy's journey home in this stunning piece of new writing. Twisted and touching, physically and visually enchanting. Mind alteringly brilliant (Fest Magazine) - Discipline and Punish, 2008.

Verano Theatre Company

Underbelly, 56 Cowgate (entrances on Cowgate and Victoria Street) • 08445 458252

'I am Leatherface! The man with the chainsaw! I want to order pizza!' Based on true events, this is the story of one man's obsession with 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'. Originally written in German, this translation is the UK premiere.

Ankle Productions and TT Productions

Underbelly 56 Cowgate • 08445 458252

You might not have heard... But Michael Jackson is dead. But that's just the beginning. For Death (a certain famous Liverpudlian) must prepare MJ for his journey to the Gates of Heaven and Hell. From Macaulay to Mariah, from Bubbles to Bashir, Jacko must collect evidence by reliving key moments from his life and confronting his past demons.

Tantrums Ltd

Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place • 0131 225 9893

The intelligent new drama from Ella Hickson (Fringe First and Best of Edinburgh winner - Eight, 2008). Tears, love and laughter in a richly comic tale of a generation fighting not to be forgotten.

Damaged Okapi Productions, University of Warwick

Musical Theatre @ George Square, George Square/Buccleuch Place • 0131 651 1292

In a magical world, three sisters journey to find their war-torn kingdom's only hope of survival.  Will they succeed when hidden truths are revealed? With bewitching music and laughs for everyone, this exciting premiere should not be missed.

Running Torch Theatre Company

The Space @ Venue 45, 39 Jeffrey St 0845 5088387

Fill your card with the Bard - this irresistible, irreverent feel-good dash through his greatest work. 'Genius, lovely' (EdinburghGuide.com). 'Shakespeare at his thigh-slapping best' (ThreeWeeks). Free tea and cake with ticket. Eyes down - it's Bardo!

Sell a Door Theatre Company

Musical Theatre @ George Square 0131 651 1292

Can the perfect relationship exist? How far is a person willing to go to achieve it? Three couples battle with addiction, adultery and ambition, all the while asking whether their relationship is strong enough to survive. www.selladoor.com

Knock Knock Theatre Company

Spotlites @ The Merchants' Hall, 22 Hanover Street • 0131 220 5911

Graduates of East 15 Acting School present 'Snarl-up'. There's a hold-up on London's notorious M25 - secrets are revealed and tempers flare as the pressure becomes too much in this hilarious new comedy about human collision.

Bird and Hope

The Vault, 11 Merchant Street • 0131 510 0022

Written by Caroline Bird, an exiting, young writer whose work has been nominated for the prestigious Dylan Thomas prize. When her special-needs brother falls victim to a practical joke, Tansy's hairdressing salon becomes an interrogation room.

University of Manchester

The Spaces on the Mile @ The Radisson 80 High St 0845 508 8316

'Stiches' - 'Conscription's three years. Many stay longer. First you'll work on the flora/fauna archive, next the language centre, then the ministry for biography. Alright with all that?' New writing from International Student Playscript Award winner 2009, Claire Urwin. 

Fiddy West Productions

The Spaces on the Mile @ The Radisson, 80 High Street • 0845 508 8316

New writing. Realistic. Dynamic. Contemporary. 10 guys. Two girls. One tent. One knife. A lot of beer. Jealousy. Ambition. Conformity. Adam thought his Oxford student brother was welcome back in Salford ... Adam thought wrong.

Sydney Theatre School

Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace • 0131 510 0022

'For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil ...' (Hamlet). Seven characters are thrust into a mysterious world to confront their destiny. To be, or not to be?

Chris Payne Productions

Underbelly 56 Cowgate 08445 458252

Four apparently separate characters are linked by one pop song in this entertaining and challenging new play. 'Unknown Album' explores the dark nature of the soundtrack which lurks in the background of all our lives.

Nottingham New Theatre

C cubed, Brodie's Close, Lawnmarket, Royal Mile • 0845 260 1234

Welcome to Warehouse 364: ganglands, part-time prostitutes and, of course, a warehouse (a big one). The blackest comedy yet from the award-winning Nottingham New Theatre. Expect to be served a cutting-edge drama. www.newtheatre.org.uk

One Small Step... Productions

Zoo Southside, 117 Nicholson Street • 0131 662 6892

New Year's Eve. The guests play loan shark Max's perverted party games or face the consequences at midnight. Exhilaratingly performed in real time. A new play by Liverpool Everyman young writer Mwewa Sumbwanyambe.

Cambridge University, ADC

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 13 Bristo Square • 0131 622 6552

Join Moley, Ratty, Badger and Toad in this comedic adaptation of a classic: jam-packed with wit, high-energy silliness and big belly laughs for all ages. www.windinthewillowstheplay.co.uk

Running Torch Theatre Company

The Space @ Venue 45, 39 Jeffrey St 0845 5088387

A journey deep into the darkest forest where the biggest beast of all waits. Suitable for children of all ages, featuring songs and music from 2007 to the distant past; magical, furry, physical storytelling. Some fairy stories never end ...