What we’re looking forward to at the festival to this week

Day two highlights include philosopher AC Grayling discussing his “secular Bible”, The Good Book and Alasdair Gray launching A Landmark Collection Of Stories.

www.edbookfest.co.uk

Monday

A stellar line-up of comedians, including Nina Conti (right), Susan Calman and Tom Stade, will perform at the Big Comedy Gala at the EICC tonight, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Earlier in the day, The Scotsman’s second Best Of The Fest show offers a bill of acts all of whom have had four star reviews this year in our sister paper, including Nick Helm, Stuart Goldsmith and Tubular Bells For Two.

www.bigcomedygala.com

Tuesday

David O’Doherty will put his fellow comedians to the test today, as the likes of Mark Watson and Al Murray attempt to create a 403 Second Masterwork of their specialist subjects at the Gilded Balloon.

www.gildedballoon.co.uk

Wednesday

First Minister Alex Salmond talks about life beyond politics at the Book Festival tonight with author Ian McEwan. Elsewhere in Charlotte Square, Dark Knight Rises fans will want to catch Will Brooker’s discussion of the mythology behind Christopher Nolan’s recent Batman trilogy, and the character in general. At the Queen’s Hall, meanwhile, FOUND and Aidan Moffat perform #Unravel Live, an interactive gig shaped by Tweets from the audience.

www.edbookfest.co.uk

Thursday

There is an abundance of podcasts in Edinburgh this month – but only one features The Smartest Man In The World. Greg Proops, above, brings his straight-talking, stripped-back humour to the Fringe from today – kicking off a run of solo shows at 6.15pm at Assembly George Square, before recording his podcast live at the Gilded Balloon at 10.30pm.

www.gregproops.com

Friday

A big night at the International Festival, as several major productions open – director Silviu Purcarete, creator of the 2009 hit Faust, returns with his production of Gulliver’s Travels; tonight is also the opening night for Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s opera David Et Jonathas and Ballet Preljocaj’s And Then, One Thousand Years of Peace.

www.eif.co.uk

Saturday

Another big opening night at the International Festival as dance company Aditi Mangaldas brings a double bill of high energy performances to the Royal Lyceum Theatre.