Behind the curtain: backstage at the Edinburgh festival

Now you see it ... Setting the scene for The Gospel at Colonus at the Playhouse theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

... now you don't Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Backstage at the The Gospel at Colonus at the Edinburgh Playhouse Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Technicians prepare the stage for The Gospel at Colonus at the Playhouse theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

The Gospel at Colonus at the Edinburgh Playhouse Photograph: Claudine Quinn

We're behind you ... an actor on stage in The Gospel at Colonus at the Playhouse theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Catching a glimpse of rehearsals of Idomeneo at the Usher Hall Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Backstage during El Niño, the Edinburgh international festival's opening concert at the Usher Hall Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Soprano Jessica Rivera (left) and mezzo soprano Kelley O’Connor during El Niño, the Edinburgh international festival's opening concert at Usher Hall Photograph: Claudine Quinn

A musician's view of Caledonia on stage at the King’s theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Caledonia at the King’s theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

In the dressing room, backstage at Porgy and Bess at the Festival theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Actors get ready for Porgy and Bess at the Festival theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

The stage is set up for Porgy and Bess at the Festival theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Stage set for Vieux Carré at the Lyceum theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

The cast of Montezuma in a costume photocall at Bruntsfield Links Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Montezuma cast costume photocall, Bruntsfield Links Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Staircase at the Usher Hall Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Recreation of the 1947 opening concert picture – taken from behind the gallery at the the Usher Hall Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Choreographer Alonzo King's Lines Ballet from San Francisco Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Choreographer Alonzo King's Lines Ballet from San Francisco in rehearsal Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Grupo Corpo on stage at the Festival theatre Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Maori activist Tame Iti, star of Mau's Tempest: Without a Body at the Playhouse Photograph: Claudine Quinn

Adding the finishing touches to a dress made out of Edinburgh international festival programmes outside the Usher Hall Photograph: Claudine Quinn

End of the party ... Preparations for the festival's closing fireworks Photograph: Claudine Quinn