Five things to do in Edinburgh 20/10/2012

1 BOOK: David Mitchell

The panel show regular and comedian best known for the Channel 4 series Peep Show and as one half of Mitchell and Webb, has been doing a lot of walking since he developed back problems in 2007.

It’s around one such walk that the 38-year-old builds his memoir, suitably entitled Back Story. Mitchell arrives in the Capital tomorrow to promote the book at a signing session at Blackwell’s bookshop, South Bridge, followed by an appearance at the Assembly Rooms on George Street.

He’s looking forward to his return; after all, this is where he and Robert Webb first unleashed their comedy on an unsuspecting world, although he’s first to admit, they were not an overnight success.

“We were never in the running for a Perrier Award but every year we made more contacts and people came to see our shows and talked about developing them after the festival.”

While Webb features in Back Story, the memoir is very much about Mitchell’s take on life, a reflection on his attitudes that finds him pondering everything from space travel to the etiquette of a gents’ toilet.

Book Signing, Blackwell’s South Bridge, 3.30pm, free

In Conversation, Assembly Rooms, George Street, , 7.30pm, £8 (redeemable against book on night), 0131-225 3436

2 MUSICAL: The Phantom of the Opera

Cameron Mackintosh presents a spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

The Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, 2.30pm, 7.30pm, £19.50–£56, 0844-871 3014

3 THEATRE: The Rise & Fall of Little Voice

A sparkling night of comedy, divas and romance. Written and directed by Jim Cartwright, this Olivier winning show is one you won’t want to miss.

King’s Theatre, Leven Street, 2.30pm, 7.30pm, £11.50–£29.50 (£8.50–£26.50), 0131-529 6000

4 MUSIC: Whole Lotta Led

Led Zep tribute act.

The HMV Picture House, Lothian Road, 7pm, £13, 0844-847 1740

5 COMEDY: SaturdayLive @ The Shack

Another hilarious night of comedy.

The Shack, Rose Street, 7pm, £10, 07584-468 989