Euthanasia show Dicing with Dr Death goes ahead at Edinburgh Fringe

The opening night of a controversial one-man show, Dicing with Dr Death, has gone ahead at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, despite intervention from the police and the authorities.

Written and performed by euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke, the show includes advice on how to commit suicide and the demonstration of a "Destiny" machine.

Shortly before Nitschke took to the stage, Edinburgh Council ruled against the use of compressed gas as part of the act and officials examined the device.

Dr Nitschke has been questioned by the Metropolitan Police this year over concerns his Fringe show would break the UK's assisted suicide laws. Anti-euthanasia campaigners insist his act is dangerous and trivialises the right to die debate.

Speaking to Sky News, Dr Nitschke said: "I've noticed in the public meetings I've been holding over the years that you always get the message across in a much more palatable way if you can make it amusing.

"I'm not making fun of the 'right to die' debate. I'm putting it out there as one of the cutting-edge social issues of our time. What's amusing is that we as a society can't deal with it."

Anti-euthanasia campaigner Gordon Macdonald argues it puts vulnerable people at risk and added: "The show's a problem because people who may be depressed will go along, and it adds to the perception that their life is worthless and isn't worth living."

Fringe organisers have not objected to the performance due to the festival's "open access" policy.

Dr Nitschke has helped four people die in his native Australia but gives audience members a disclaimer stating they should "acknowledge that none of the information provided in this show will be used in any way to advise, counsel or assist in the act of suicide".

It is currently illegal to assist someone to commit suicide in the UK.

The show will continue for its run at The Caves in Edinburgh until 28 August.