Edinburgh festival: Behind the scenes

Behind the imposing frontage of venues such as the Assembly Hall on the Mound ... Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

... lies a tangle of cables and lights, all rigged to cope with a raft of shows each day Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

The walkie talkie is vital for venue staff, as they struggle to keep things running smoothly, and on time Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

Before their show, the Brazilian cast of Balé de Rua stretch and jog around - getting warmed up for an evening of break dancing and capoeira Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

The opening number completed, the dancers spill out into the hall and run back to the changing rooms to don yellow dresses for the next scene Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

The costumes and props for each show are stacked on rails and tables and ironing boards in the back rooms. Circus Oz's distinctive kangaroo tails bide their time for the next performance Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

Sometimes, you just have to await your cue Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

Beyond the Royal Mile, the play Dad's Money sets up at the Pleasance Dome Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

Fringe shows have just 10 minutes or so to refocus their lights, with correctly coloured gels ... Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

... before the audience starts to file in Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

Behind the scenes, Jerome Wright and Martin Miller suit up for their entrance. They play two brothers trapped in a cellar while flood waters (appropriately enough) rise around them Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

It's the little touches that matter ... Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

... so the director is sent off to fetch buckets of water from the nearest tap Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

And every play needs a severed head, of course Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

Across town, at C venue, the Rubber Duck theatre company grab a vital moment to stretch the vocal cords Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

Then they head out under the lights, to perform How Does a Kanga-Roo? Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

The Polish puppetry show Etcetera is lucky enough to get trad show-business mirrors at the Hill Street Theatre, round the corner Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

But it's still all hands on deck to get the props in place ... Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

... including the puppets Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk

And after a brief 60 minutes, it's time to dismantle the set so the next show can begin Photograph: Beth Elliott /guardian.co.uk