I'll be in EDI the last weekend in August, and DH and I are trying to figure out which events to attend.

There are SO MANY! My goodness! My head is swimming; I've no idea which things to buy tickets for.

well, you pick things that are particularly of interest to you. I like live theater, so went to those based on time and what sounded interesting from the description.

Pick the things which sound interesting AND the ones you can still get tickets to.

With extreme difficulty.

I got my copy of the Fringe guide when they first came out & I'm still looking through it.

And the choice for the book & film festivals just makes me weep.

Any ideas on how I can stay awake for the whole of August?

Buy the Scotsman and/or the Herald. See what got good reviews from the night before, in your field of interest, and go and buy tickets. Early. Then spend the day chasing the programme you just signed up to. And chill. You'll love it.

If, after reading the Fringe guide, there's nothing that screams out at you, then you have three choices:

1. Don't go to anything. To be absolutely honest, a minuscule percentage of what's on at the Fringe is going to be memorable, except possibly for the discomfort of the seating
2. Wait till the reviews, then follow them. But the reviews can rarely predict how you'll react. Outsource your businesss processes, by all means: outsourcing your critical judgement's a grave mistake.
3. Wait till you get there. 90-odd % of the Fringe will still be trying to sell seats. Just walk round and go to what appeals on the day: best flyer, prettiest/hunkiest cast, most idiotic self presentation. Whatever.

The Fringe is an experience in its own right. Whether the half-dozen shows you get to see actually rock your boat is pretty secondary. They won't anyway. It's the sensation of all these tens of thousands of young (ish) hopefuls that's unique - and unforgettable

Basically don't make any decisions (except for any that immediately jump out as "must sees&quot until you are there and get a feel for the Fringe and it's venues/nuttiness/the buzz in the local press, etc.

alanRow - I feel your pain...

flanneruk & janisj - Thank you, I'm taking your advice!

I'm not going to try and plan anything until I get there. I WILL take advantage of my hubby's free tickets that he has (can't remember what event), but other than that, I'm going to wing it - coming from a true Type A planner, this will be a whole new experience!

We looked at the daily Fringe paper, and picked out the plays which were listed for the next day and got a 4*. We bought tickets early, but some had half-price tickets when you we there.

We loved all 4 that we saw, and long to go back. We also went to the symphony. It was a memorable experience.