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Argues that despite growing attendance figures, the Edinburgh Festival is dead. How the Festival has grown in size since its inception; Belief of the author that commercialization has killed off the quality of the offerings; Background on the Festival; How the Festival is pandering to commercial tastes over artistic value; Example of "Jerry Springer: the opera" which played last year; Offerings this year which include "Jeffrey Archer's Prison Diary - Hell," "Killing Paul McCartney," and "Hitler Sells Tickets."

A review is presented of the play "Rock'n'Roll," written by Tom Stoppard and starring Sinéad Cusack, which is appearing at the Royal Court Theater in London.

Actor Simon Callow discusses his role in a Christmas pantomime of "Aladdin." The actor, who has been in the stage version of "Amadeus," "A Room With a View," and "Four Weddings and a Funeral," describes his odd career trajectory and expresses his admiration for popular theater. "Serious" British stage actors do not suffer from appearing in soaps and Hollywood blockbusters.

Offers a look at the Arcola Theater in London's East End neighborhood. Popularity of the theater among theater critics, audiences, and tourists; Performance of the production "Carver," based on short stories by Raymond Carver, at the Arcola; Comments of the Arcola's artistic director and founder, Mehmet Ergen, on the changes in London's East End neighborhood; Details of the types of plays and production held at the Arcola.

Reviews various theatrical productions and motion pictures showing in England. "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," directed by Guy Ritchie; "Julius Caesar," at the Barbican Theater; "Osama the Hero," by Dennis Kelly at the Hampstead Theater; "Theater of Blood," by Vincent Price.

Reviews the theatrical production "Julius Caesar" by Deborah Warner. Length of the play; Importance of the tent scene.

Comments on the British theatre's right to offend. Question of whether the right to freedom of speech is always worth defending; Issues of censorship; Comments of playwright Rachel Wagstaff and theatre critic Dominic Cavendish; Suggestion that the government is heading towards moral legislation on entertainment; Implications of the theatre operating in a moral vacuum; Impact of multiculturalism on censorship.

Examines the impact of critical reviews on the success of theatrical productions. Claim that may popular shows were denounced by critics; Potential for a positive review to impact ticket sales; Analysis of the use of stars in critical reviews.

Deals with the factors that persuaded David Hare to write the play "Stuff Happens." Focus of the play; Reactions of people to some familiar U.S. and British political issues; Comments of some audience on the play.

Relates the author's experience of attending a domestic performance in London, England, by Curious. Goal of "On the Scent" to pin down the elusive nature of smell, how we use it and how it uses us; Author's reactions to the performance; Impact of the performance; Details of the Curious tour.

Discusses how the commercial opera producer Raymond Gubbay will show the operas 'The Marriage of Figaro' and 'The Barber of Seville' for free on opening night at the Royal Opera House and the English National Opera. Consideration of how the British public loves to receive free tickets to various entertainment events; Suggestion that the behavior of an audience member changes for the worse when they do not have to pay for the performance.