GET ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and drop into the Eastgate Theatre where you can help shape some of the best of the comedy on the circuit and catch the premiere of a new play starring award-winning actor Maureen Beattie.

Daniel Sloss is billed as half-man-half X Box and this young powerhouse comedian has had a meteoric rise from writing for Frankie Boyle to filling Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre for several nights during the Fringe.

In Comedy Sneak Peek, on July 17, 18 and 19 he will be testing parts of his all new Edinburgh show to find out what makes you laugh - and what doesn’t. The two other acts performing Comedy Sneak Peek are Newcastle’s hilarious, high-octane comedy meteor Kai Humphries and, on July 17 and 18, Mark Nelson renowned for being dark, caustic, profound and very funny. There will also be an amazing guest spot on the Saturday.

Scottish theatre company Stellar Quines have been based at the Eastgate since early July to develop and rehearse their new production The Carousel starring award-winning actress Maureen Beattie.

The Carousel is the second part of Jennifer Tremblay’s award-winning trilogy of plays that began with The List in 2012. The List was also developed at the Eastgate and went on to win a Scotsman Fringe First and a Herald Angel.

Drop into the Eastgate Theatre to experience an open rehearsal and take the opportunity to question Maureen Beattie and Stellar Quines’ Artistic Director Muriel Romanes about how they decide which play they want to do and how they go about developing it. The open rehearsal is free, but please book a ticket to avoid disappointment.

The first performance of The Carousel is on Friday, July 25 at 7.30pm at the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles. Tickets are £14, £12 or £5 for schoolchildren, available now from Box Office on 10721 725777 www.eastgatearts.com