Curated or uncurated, the festivals have strong themes running between them, if you care to see them: thematic through lines that connect one production to another. It’s hard to know if these are the product of zeitgeist, self-selection on the part of the audience-member, or the dot-to-random-dot equivalent of pictures in the static on a television set. It’s probably all three.

Joseph Stiglitz was chief economist at the World Bank, served as an economic advisor to Bill Clinton and has been a leading critic of the Obama Administration’s financial stimulus plan – in part because it doesn’t go far enough. He spoke accessibly, bluntly and with remarkable humour about how an almost religious faith in free market capitalism combined with an unchecked appetite for risk led to the downfall of the financial sector. As the rain pounded on the canvas roof of the Royal Bank of Scotland Theatre, it became clear that a radical overhaul of global business practices, and even what banks are and how they work, will become necessary.

Caledonia is the story of William Patterson, the founder of the Bank of England who came back to Edinburgh in order to help Scotland form its own colonies. An accomplished salesman, the new Scottish trading company he founded to colonize Darien was eventually connected to over half the wealth in Scotland. Unfortunately, it was a venture fraught with risk, and a lack of due diligence eventually led to the deaths of many of the colonists, the downfall of the entire Scottish economy, and ultimately, union with England and the creation of the Bank of Scotland. Patterson eschews detail for passion, inspires his country with a fervent belief in the power of commerce, and brings his country to ruin. For such a bleak tale, it’s told with intelligence and occasionally cutting humour, presenting itself as a musical cross between Blackadder and The Thick Of It. “Money begets money,” Patterson sings early on, convincing his potential investors in the value of the newly-established financial markets.

Back in the present day, Joseph Stiglitz warned that China is likely to be a formidable economic player for the foreseeable future, in part due to their cautious attitude towards capitalism. Rather than assume that markets were infallible, China understands that they sometimes fail, and they are very wary of playing games of risk. Passion is not in short supply, but business and government needs to back it up with reason, moderation and considered, nuanced approaches to difficult problems. Money doesn’t beget money all on its own.

Caledonia was a troubled production with a five figure budget, whose writer has allegedly returned to London having fallen out with the director. The policies of the Clinton administration, advised by Stiglitz, contributed to our current economic problems. We all borrowed, and hoped, and spent. No-one here walks out of here blameless.

Blinking, worrying about money and the future, I emerged from the theatre into the rain and walked towards my next engagement.