One of the works that gained the Scottish playwright his association with the 'In-Yer-Face' theatre movement, Neilson's constant questioning of psychological, social and moral issues, ensures that his plays are often shocking and challenging, but always captivating.

In Normal, Neilson deals with the case of serial killer, arsonist and rapist Peter Kurten – also known as the Düsseldorf Ripper.

Placed in the historically-charged setting of 1930s Germany, the play opens up the debate on criminal pathology in terms of what society considers as the boundary between normality and insanity.

As defence lawyer Justus Wehner attempts to plead Kurten's case for madness, the audience joins him as he is led deeper and deeper into Kurten's own psychology with the help of his disturbingly seductive wife, forcing him to question his own strict moral values.

For this production EUTC plan to transform the already eerily Gothic interior of the Bedlam Theatre into a 'giant automaton' intended to reflect the carnivalesque horror of the action onstage.

Directed by James Bruce Sinclair, the cast includes Holly McLay, Paddy Loughman and Nick Kay, last seen at The Bedlam in The Cosmonaut's Last Message To The Woman He Once Loved In The Former Soviet Union.

Bedlam Theatre, Bristo Place, Tuesday-Saturday, 7.30pm (Saturday matinee 2.30pm), £tbc, 0131-225 9893

NOBODY WILL EVER FORGIVE US
The Traverse continues its season of new works by first-time writers, commissioned in conjunction with the National Theatre of Scotland, by bringing Paul Higgins' Nobody Will Ever Forgive Us to the stage.

Patrick comes home unexpectedly from the seminary and older brother Johnny's not slow to tap him for money.

Mum is suspicious, dad seems indifferent, and drunk and little sister Cath is distracted and medicated. What follows is a darkly humorous tale of a family at their wits' end.

Living on their wits, stalked by violence and death and defending themselves with the blackest humour, Nobody Will Ever Forgive Us is the story of a family under siege.

Directed by John Tiffany, the cast includes Ryan Fletcher, Gary Lewis, Carmen Pieraccini, Susan Vidler and John Wark.

Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, next Thursday-November 29 (not Sundays/Mondays), 8pm (Saturday 29 matinee 2.30pm), £13-£16, 0131-228 1404

Also Playing

TUNES OF GLORY

Famously adapted for the 1960 movie starring John Mills and Alec Guinness, Leitheatre present James Kennaway's great Scottish novel as their final production for 2008.

Set outside the Officer's mess of a Scottish Regiment based in a Scottish castle post World War Two, Jock Sinclair, acting Lieutenant Colonel is in command. He is a rough diamond who has risen through the ranks and is hero-worshipped by his men.

However, Sinclair's command comes to a sudden and traumatic end when new, Sandhurst-style full Colonel Barrow is appointed to take charge. The clash of personalities and culture, brings down both Colonels – one fatally.

Church Hill Theatre, Morningside Road, until tomorrow, 7.30pm, £9, 0131-668 2019

MARAT/SADE
Last chance to catch Theatre Workshop's new touring production of Marat/Sade tomorrow.

The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton under the Direction of The Marquis de Sade, transports the action to contemporary times.

Marat/Sade, Assembly Rooms, George Street, until tomorrow, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, £10, 0131-228 1155

ME AND MY GIRL
THE members of the Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group turn their attention to that perennial favourite of the amateur musicals circuit next week when they relate the tale of cockney costermonger Bill Snibson, who finds that he is the long lost heir to the Earldom of Hareford.

This feelgood musical features favourite showtunes The Sun Has Got His Hat On, Me and My Girl and Leaning on a Lamppost and the chances are you'll be doing The Lambeth Walk as you leave the theatre.

Adam House Theatre, Chambers Street, until tomorrow, 7.30pm, £7.50-£10, 07887-521 911

THE DOGSTONE/ NASTY, BRUTISH AND SHORT
The Dogstone and Nasty, Brutish and Short are the latest works in a season of new writing commissioned by the National Theatre of Scotland.

Presented as a double-bill exploring the darker side of Scottish families the first piece, Kenny Lindsay's writing debut, finds a father and son aren't seeing eye to eye in Oban.

Teenager Lorn is trying to get his life started as his dad is throwing his away with last night's empties.

Meanwhile the second piece, by Andy Duffy, finds two brothers, Jim and Luke, holed up in Glasgow flat. With no job and no money, as the options start to run out the two brothers embark on a collision course.

The Dogstone/Nasty, Brutish and Short, Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, until tomorrow, 2.30pm and 8pm, £8-£16, 0131-228 1404

MARY POPPINS ***** in association with the Evening News
SHE'S still there. The flying nanny continues her residency at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Based on the books by PL Travers, the stage musical of Mary Poppins boasts many of the original songs from the film.

As in the 1964 movie, the action takes place in and around the Banks' household somewhere in London at the turn of the last century.Children Jane and Michael get through nannies at a frightening rate but magical Mary Poppins is more than their match. Will they live happily ever after? Lisa O'Hare stars as Mary Poppins with Daniel Crossley as faithful Bert.

Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, until December 6, 7.30pm (Wednesday/Saturday matinees 2.30pm), £14.50-£42.50, 0844-847 1660

MARY ROSE ****
JM Barrie's unsettling Edwardian ghost story Mary Rose revisits the notion of the ageless child and the uneasy journey from childhood into adulthood.

Starring Edinburgh actress Kim Gerard, 70s TV star Michael Mackenzie and Scottish theatre legend Una McLean, this is a creepy tale that will leave you shivering with more than just the cold.

Mary Rose, Royal Lyceum, Grindlay Street, until tomorrow, 2.30pm and 7.45pm (matinees 2.30pm), £12-£26, 0131-248 4848