Kirsty Wark presents the best theatre, art, dance and performance at the Edinburgh Festivals. Game of Thrones creator George RR Martin talks about his Song of Ice and Fire books.

Game of Thrones creator George RR Martin talks about his phenomenally successful series of Song of Ice and Fire books, and we explore the raft of Game of Thrones spin-off shows in Edinburgh this year.

Professor Mary Beard delves into the Ancient Roman joke book to find out what made them laugh, and comedians on this year's fringe show just how little our sense of humour has changed since then.

Strictly Come Dancing's most effervescent judge, Bruno Tonioli, hotfoots his way around Edinburgh to find the most dazzling dance productions in town.

Marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, the festival features a host of artistic responses to conflict - from the Trojan War right up to recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Kirsty asks a number of writers, artists and performers why war is such an enduring inspiration.

The summer exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland tells the story of the remarkable rise of the Ming dynasty, a period of almost three centuries of social, economic and artistic transformation in China. Kirsty takes a tour in the company of Chinese ceramics expert and Antiques Roadshow regular Lars Tharp.

Each year at the festival, a number of performers stage shows with the intention of shattering stereotypes of gender and sexuality. There are interviews with those performers pushing the envelope this year.

Also featuring special performances filmed on an Edinburgh tram as it weaves its way through the city.