Saw 4 shows on Monday. The best was Owen O'Neill, an Irish comedian and playwright who's written a series of brilliant one-man show over the years. I've seen him at the past 4 festivals -- he's the first act I look for every time I hit town. This year he took extracts from several of his plays and wove them together to make for a great hour of story-telling. I also saw "Puppetry of the Penis" -- not one for the faint-hearted!! Some of the stuff they did made me squirm in my seat at the thought of ever having such contortionistic twistings imposed on me!!!!!!

Saw 6 different acts on Monday!!! I was also booked to see a seventh, but cut one out in the evening, when I was feeling the pace! None of them blew me away, though I liked Chris Addison's "Atomicity" show a lot. Went to see Daniel Kitson do a stand-up routine at 23.30. Was supposed to go with Anthony Horowitz (we've met at various events over the years, and are quite friendly -- in response to a comment to an earlier entry, I know lots of children's authors, but usually don't see much of them unless our paths cross at events; Anthony, Eoin Colfer and Robin Jarvis would probably be the 3 I'd know best, though I've spent enjoyable meals and drinks with lots of others), but ... Actually, let's start that again! I was supposed to go with Anthony Horowitz, but he was at another show, and arrived late. The event was in a small venue, but it was dark and packed, and we missed each other inside, although we did bump into each other near the end!!!

Met Anthony the next day for a quick spot of lunch. He said he's put me in as a character in his next horror novel (the sequel to "Raven's Gate"), so that's one to look forward to!!! Apparently I'm going to be a villainous character, which suits me perfectly!!!!

I saw a couple of shows on Tuesday, squeezing in as much as I could before my flight back. The first, "Laurel and Laurel", was an interesting but uneven look at Stan Laurel's life (he of Laurel & Hardy fame). The other, "MacHomer", was the story of "MacBeth", but with all of the parts played by characters from "The Simpsons"!!! It was a one-man show -- the guy did all the voices. It was an amazing performance, but the material was only so-so, and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I might. Also, I don't think he could do Bart's voice properly, because he only gave the young brat a tiny role!!!!!!!!!

After that, I caught my plane down to London. I always feel sorry when I leave Edinburgh, but I know I'll be back there sooner rather than later, so it's not too bad ...