What’s on: October 4-6

THEATRE

All the Fun of the Fair: TV’s newest EastEnders star, David Essex, stars in his own musical. Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, 7.30pm, £24.25–£37.25, 0844-847 1660

Wayne McGregor/Random Dance: Far: Wayne McGregor’s dynamic style and ground-breaking collaborative approach across dance, film, music, visual art, technology and science has seen him create a string of truly unique, interdisciplinary work over the years. His latest work FAR is no exception. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street, 7.30pm, £14–£22, 0131-529 6000

Mary, Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off: Liz Lochhead’s acclaimed interpretation of the lives, loves and rivalry of two famed queens, whose insurmountable differences will tear them apart. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 7.45pm, £14.50–£29, 0131-248 4848

COMEDY

Wicked Wenches: It’s the time of the month for our all female stand-up show. Resident host wee Susan Calman puts the funny women through their paces with a mix of circuit headliners and newcomers guaranteeing variety on every bill. With Janey Godley, Ria Lina and Kiri Pritchard. The Stand, York Place, 8.30pm, £6 (£5), 0131-558 7272

MUSIC

THE SIX O’CLOCK BLUES & SWING TRAIN: Live acoustic blues from John Hurt. The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, 6pm, free, 0131-220 4298

GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION: A night of jazz during which you just never know who is going to drop in to perform with the house trio. The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, 8pm, £2 (£1), 0131-220 4298

OUT OF THE BEDROOM: Edinburgh’s original open-mic night. Turn up and put your name down - only rule is no covers. Montague Bar, Montague Street, 7.30pm, free, no tel.

Tomas Klement: Pianist Klement plays a selection of works by great Czechs. Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square, 1.10pm, free, 0131-650 2427

CLUBS

ANTICS: Rock, emo, punk and metal dispatches from Edinburgh’s alt.scene. The Hive, Niddry Street, 11pm, free, 0131-556 0444

WEDNESDAY

THEATRE

All the Fun of the Fair: See today.Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, 2.30pm, 7.30pm, £24.25–£37.25, 0844-847 1660

Wayne McGregor/Random Dance: Far: See today. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street, 7.30pm, £14–£22, 0131-529 6000

The Selfish Giant: Based on the much loved tale by Oscar Wilde, The Selfish Giant is a captivating and inventive show of storytelling and dance. Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, 10am, 7pm, £6 (family ticket £22), 0131-665 2240

Dissidents: New play by James Beagon, about a pub landlord caught in the middle of a sectarian conflict. Bedlam Theatre, Bristo Place, 2.30pm, £4 (£3.50), 0131-225 9893

The Last Five Years: Award-winning musical about two New Yorkers. Scottish Storytelling Centre, Royal Mile, 7.30pm, £12 (£10), 0131-556 9579

MUSIC

EASY CHAIR: Graeme Laird, Mike Bennett and friends. Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, 8pm, £4 (£3), 0131-220 4298

MIKE KEARNEY KA-TET: Original bluesy, funky songs from Mike Kearney and five-piece band with trumpet/sax horn section. Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, 11.30pm, £3 (£2), 0131-220 4298

Colum Sands: Talented Irish singer-songwriter at Edinburgh Folk Club event. Pleasance Cabaret Bar, The Pleasance, 7.30pm, £9 (£7), 0131-650 2458

CLUBS

HUSH: Retro soundtrack for midweek partyheads. Electric Circus, Market Street, 10pm-1am, free, 0131-226 4224

INDIGO: Cult night of indie and alternative sounds. Liquid Room, Victoria Street, 10pm-3am, £3 (£1), 0131 225 2564

JUNGLE STEP: Dub, dubstep, and jungle. Bongo Club, Holyrood Road, 11pm, free, 0131-558 8844

BANGERS & MASH: Chart and cheese. The Hive, Niddry Street, 10pm, £1 (£3 after 11pm), 0131-556 0444

Free For All WednesDay’s: Free Entry all night. Vodka Rev & Shanghai team up to bring you a double barrelled Wednesday night where everything is free. Shanghai, George Street, 10pm-3am, free, 0131-270 3900

THURDAY

THEATRE

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS GOT HER HEAD CHOPPED OFF: See above. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 7.45pm, £14.50–£29, 0131-248 4848

COMEDY

THE THURSDAY SHOW: Five acts on a two-hour stand-up showcase. Featuring ace comperes, the best headliners on the circuit, several support acts and a short spot for a newcomer. The Stand, York Place, 9pm, £8, 0131-558 7272

MUSIC

WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS: Rousing, epic indie from the Edinburgh quartet. Liquid Room, Victoria Street, 7pm, £10, 0131 225 2564

HENRY IBBS: Electro-acoustic music (with a dash of Scouse) from well-known singer-songwriter Ibbs and friends. The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, 6pm, free, 0131-220 4298

UNPEELED: Monthly showcase of four new acts, playing all sorts of genres. The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, 8pm, £5 (£3), 0131-220 4298

BOHEMOND: MOR rock fare from Bohemond, plus support from Hot Jupiter, Johanna-Crossley Zels and Mr Wishart. Bannerman’s, Niddry Street, 8pm, £4, 0131-556 3254

CLUBS

DAPPER DANS: Disco, house and soul. Sneaky Pete’s, Cowgate, 11pm, free 0131-225 1757

MOVEMENT: All new dance releases. Electric Circus, Market Street, 9pm, 0131-226 4224

FRISKY: Chart, dance and electro. The Hive, Niddry Street, 10pm, 0131-556 0444

MONSTER MASH: Johnny Junk-House’s new night supply new releases, remixes and requests of indie, dnb, pop, R&B, disco, hip-hop, and probably some dubstep, too. Purists venture at their peril. Liquid Room, Victoria Street, 10.00 pm, £TBC, 0131-225 2564

THE FUNKY DOODLE DO: Soul, disco, boogie and dub music DJRed6 and Players Association DJs. The Bongo Club, Holyrood Road, 11pm, free, 0131 558 7604

OCTOPUSSY: Chart, Indie and Electro at Edinburgh’s busiest student night. HMV Picture House, Lothian Road, 11pm, £6 (£4), 0844-847 1740

SICKNOTE: Hazy indie-dance outfit Discopolis headline the ever-popular Thursday institution. Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street, 10pm, £2, 0131 220 4638