Pleasance announce 126 more shows from their ever-expanding Fringe programme

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Pleasance announce 126 more shows from their
      ever-expanding Fringe programme
Today, 126 shows go on sale to join the phenomenal Pleasance programme. With a roster this
diverse and exciting, you’ll want to spend the whole of August in Edinburgh!

Theatre:

Cold Feet legend Robert Bathurst joins Rebecca Johnson (The Trip, The Flood) in The Song of Lunch -
a hilarious and poignant drama of a disastrous attempt to rekindle lost love. Double Fringe First
winner Caitlin Skinner brings Propeller to Edinburgh, a devised piece about power and the possibility
of change. Build a Rocket is an exciting new play from Christopher York – don’t fly too close to the
sun, fly through the f***er! Or, playing on many of the resonant issues on today’s world stage, No
Kids reveals the personal journey that real-life couple and co-artistic directors of Ad Infinitum, Nir
Paldi and George Mann, embarked upon when they asked the question, ‘As a gay couple, should we
go out of our way to have children?’

A number of shows in this year’s programme pay specific tribute to notable people from our past.
When You Fall Down - The Buster Keaton Story uses slapstick and songs to follow the personal and
professional triumphs and trials of the silent movie star. Stan Laurel is remembered in ... And This Is
My Friend Mr Laurel, a touching look at one of cinema’s great historical partnerships. Dietrich:
Natural Duty is an intoxicating one-(wo)man cabaret show as Marlene Dietrich takes the stage to
fight the war her way, with an irresistible mix of songs, sequins, sex and sympathy. The lifelong
friendship between composer and war poet Ivor Gurney, and musician and the first female music
critic, Marion Scott, is brought to life in Composer, Author, Soldier-of-a-Sort. In Loyal Company
presents the incredible true story of missing WWII soldier Arthur Robinson.

Mental health and emotional well-being continue to be pressing issues addressed on the Fringe
stage; A Clown Show About Rain fuses together clowning and physical theatre in a dazzling
exploration of depression. Ephemeral Ensemble present Offstage a powerful show acting as a
moving tribute to all performers who have died by suicide. Schizophrenia, depression and male
suicide are tackled in Electrolyte, an explosive piece of gig-theatre from Wildcard Theatre, the
winners of the 2018 LET Award. While the devastating effects of Alzheimer's is brought to the stage

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in And Before I Forget I Love You, I Love You. The emotional hardships of those with learning
difficulties are explored in Everything Is Going To Be KO. And, from the team behind the 2012
winner of the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award, comes Unspoken, bringing to
light the lives interrupted and forever changed by war. These shows, and more besides, seek to
explore and dispel classic attitudes to mental health through personal stories.

Innovative companies continue to push the boundaries of devised theatre using unique physical
styles. This year is no exception; Theatre Temoin return to Edinburgh with Feed, bringing their
vibrant visual style to the world of click-bait culture, fake news and cyber gluttony. The Bear uses
dazzling puppetry, delicious music and dozens of laughs to create an unforgettable experience for
the whole family. Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award Winner Ovid's Metamorphoses sets
breathtaking mythological tales of love and transformation against a WWII Britain backdrop with
spectacular storytelling, puppetry, music and film.

Also bringing puppetry to life is the recipient of this year’s Charlie Hartill Theatre Reserve, the
Pleasance’s fund for new theatre – in Freeman award-winning writer Camilla Whitehill exposes the
fundamental and inextricable link between systemic racism and the decimation of the self,
juxtaposing monologue with physical theatre, gospel singing and shadow puppetry.

This year, the Pleasance Theatre Trust are pleased to announce a new partnership with HighTide –
HighTide: Edinburgh. Pleasance will be presenting the majority of work supported by the HighTide
Edinburgh Mentoring Scheme. The brilliant recipients include Sparks, a hilarious and heartbreaking
two-hander with music about the brain’s response to grief, and Busking It which draws on a singer's
decade on the tube giving voice to passers-by and blending chance encounters with live music. Plus
DugOut Theatre come together with HighTide to present Songlines by Tallulah Brown, a play with
an original soundtrack from award-winning band Trills.

Many a classic has been revitalised and re-energised in Edinburgh and, in 2018, Trump meets Lear in
the absurdly funny and biting political satire, Trump Lear, direct from its hit New York season. The all
male, all silly troupe of Rubbish Shakespeare Company stage a hilarious Romeo and Juliet. A fast-
paced retelling of Dracula has us join the first Romanian immigrant as he strikes fear into the male
establishment with some surprising consequences. Young Pleasance evoke the glitz, glamour, and
seedy underworld of 1920s Berlin in their exciting version of The Red Shoes.

Music and theatre converge in a number of electrifying pieces of gig theatre. For the Record brings
a poignant mix of classic vinyl vibes and the unique poetic voice of Toby Thompson as we are led on
a curious, moving and uplifting journey. Ad Libido explores Female Sexual Dysfunction through
energising toe-tapping tunes. Paul O'Donnell entertainingly attempts to create the spectacle of a
full-scale musical (hydraulic lifts and all) in We've Got Each Other. Amidst an electrifying live gig,
Medea Electronica is a powerful and deeply moving retelling of the Greek tragedy, set in 1980s rural
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England. The Rockford Files is an appealing homage to 1970s TV private eye Jim Rockford, filtered
through the lens of classic Ealing comedies and brilliant live Roots music.

The extra-terrestrials are journeying to Edinburgh to explore the Fringe. With the help of some
historical abduction stories, a latex alien mask, and a bucket of flying saucers, Lights Over Tesco Car
Park looks at alien reports over Tescos. Set in the depths of the Extra-Terrestrial Communications
Agency, Signals asks how it feels to be lost in the cosmic ocean with just each other for company.

Pleasance Futures, the Pleasance’s artist development arm, are supporting new company Clay Party
with Outside, an honest new comedy exploring humanity, love and the relationships between three
friends dealing with life on the inside when the outside is crumbling. Previous recipients of the
Futures ‘XYP’ strand Incognito return with the amazing Tobacco Road – winner of the Greenwich
Partnership Award, telling the story of five resourceful youngsters attempting to carve out a place in
the murky underworld of 1920s London. Another company born out of the Young Pleasance (‘YP’),
the award-winning Spies Like Us present their version of Woyzeck, breathing new life into Buchner’s
classic tale with their trademark inventive physical style. They also return with Our Man in Havana
– back by popular demand, it will leave you gasping for an ice-cold daiquiri.

Other great theatre shows on sale today include: Courtroom Play: A Courtroom Play featuring an
all-star cast of Fringe comedians, Drenched which draws inspiration from the classic Cornish folktale
The Mermaid of Zennor, Finding Fassbender by Off-West End nominated Lydia Larson, No One Is
Coming To Save You – a story of hope in the wait before dawn, It’s Not a Sprint by NOVAE Theatre
(sister company to Idle Motion) and critically-acclaimed comedy troupe Kill the Beast’s Director’s
Cut. Don’t forget Ladykiller - a blood-soaked morality tale about social responsibility, zero-hours
contracts and victimhood; the acerbic wit, punchy dialogue and intricate spoken word of Narcissist
in the Mirror; Sisterhood which asks what kind of world we are leaving to our daughters of the
digital age; Danielle Ward’s The Half, The Journey which marks the theatrical debut from acclaimed
stand-up Stuart Law; Unconditional – a joyous celebration of doing whatever it takes to be equal;
and Velvet which is written and performed by Old Vic 12 shortlisted actor/writer Tom Ratcliffe. Plus
award-winning Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show return to the Fringe for their 12th year along with Bite-
Size Plays present: Neverwant.

Children’s Theatre:

Pleasance continue to build on their strong focus on children’s theatre. Songs co-written by kids’
favourite Jay Foreman are given centre stage in The Story Beast: Myths, Monsters & Mayhem. John
Hegley: Morning Wordship invites you to join in the morning chorus of clappy, clippy, cloppy,
floppy, flappy sing song and poem pong. Especially for babies and children aged 0-3 years and their
grown-ups is MamaBabaMe - a beautiful dance, physical theatre and live music experience that
welcomes even the tiniest of folk. The fantastic family musical adventure of Animalphabet The
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Musical uses high-energy actors, colourful puppets, amazing characters and fantastic songs; each
show will contain BSL interpretation and the company will also be offering relaxed performances
and touch tours.

Comedy:

2017 Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer winner Natalie Palamides returns to Pleasance
with her show Nate, while 2014 winner Alex Edelman comes to Pleasance’s Cabaret Bar with his
third solo show Just For Us. Newcomer nominee Chris Washington returns with his brand new
show You Beauty! about the best year of his life when he used all his annual leave to bring a show to
the world's biggest arts festival. Fellow nominee Darren Harriott returns with Visceral while also-
nominated Kwame Asante is back with Teenage Heartblob, reflecting on his personal and
professional experiences of weighing more than you’d like to. In 2017, not only was Lauren
Pattison’s show the best reviewed at the Fringe but she was also a Newcomer nominee. Following a
whirlwind year she’s back with Peachy, delivering some new home truths with her wicked, warm
and authentic brand of humour. Jordan Brookes, the Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show 2017
nominee, returns with more loosely-justified nonsense in Bleed.

Pleasance’s incredible range of world-class comedians are essential must-sees, whatever your brand
of humour. Angela Barnes’s Rose-Tinted offers stand-up and stories that look back on the bright
side of life. Ivo Graham brings us Motion Sickness, a feisty new hour about facing the future. After
a sell-out national tour in 2017, Ed Gamble is back with another bracing flurry of idiocy in Blizzard.
Lolly 3 is the hotly anticipated new show from the multi-award-winning character comedian, Lolly
Adefope. Highly acclaimed, amazing, stand-up Marcus Brigstocke returns determined that, for once
and for all, it’s time to establish what is good and what is bad in Devil May Care. Last year, Brett
Goldstein, award winning comic, actor and writer, fell in love but he wouldn’t recommend it and
he’s going to tell us why in What Is Love Baby Don't Hurt Me. Felicity Ward returns to bust a nutful
of jokes in Felicity Ward is Busting a Nut. Pass It On is a brand new stand-up show from the
perennial Fringe favourite, Lucy Porter. Following four sell-out Edinburgh Fringe runs and marking
30 years of Section 28, Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho returns in her original 80s drag cabaret
extravaganza! When you feel alienated by life, mock it vigorously – well that’s what Pierre Novellie
suggests in See Novellie, Hear Novellie, Speak Novellie. Rose Matafeo has kissed nearly 10 men in
her life so doesn’t that make her a Horndog?! Suzi Ruffell returns after last year's smash-hit, sell-
out show with Nocturnal, a new hour of hilarious comedy. And, cult idiot William Andrews (Alan
Partridge, Broadchurch, Him & Her) returns to present Willy.

Double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Kieran Hodgson joins the Pleasance programme, having
previously performed on the Free Fringe, with Making Your Mind Up - the epic tale of how Britain
joined Europe in the first place. Best Newcomer nominee Adam Hess brings his high-quality gags to
life in Socks and Skies while critically-acclaimed musical comedy sisters Flo & Joan present an hour
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of dark and witty songs in Alive on Stage. Award-winning Rob Carter’s cult-hit creation, Christopher
Bliss, is back in the very best of character comedy with I Spy With My Little Eye Something Beginning
With Why Have You Been Sleeping With My Wife: A Play By Christopher Bliss. Pleasance excitedly
welcome back Sheeps with open arms for Live & Loud Sex Selfie Harry Potter, an hour of (hopefully)
new sketches. Fin Taylor’s finger is still on the pulse - he’s done race and politics and now he’s
getting stuck into the War of the Sexes in When Harassy Met Sally. Remember the band Super Furry
Animals? Well in Resist Phony Encores! Gruff Rhys plays selections from his forty-year career and
explores how he overcame chronic shyness, stoner culture and communicative dysfunction, by
placing commands on cue cards to whip audiences into a frenzy.

This year also sees loads of amazing international newcomers grace Pleasance’s stages including:
Venezuelan comic Ivan Aristeguieta - Winner Best Newcomer 2016 Sydney Comedy Festival and
Best Comedy Adelaide Fringe 2017, Finland’s number one comedian Ismo Leikola, New Zealand’s
amazing Alice Snedden, Anuvab Pal – one of India’s top comics, Dutch rising star Micky Overman
and Russian legend, Amused Moose Comedy Award Finalist, Olga Koch.

There’s also some hilarious home-grown talent appearing for the first time. Check out the Piccadilly
Comedy Club New Comedian of the Year 2017 Ben Pope, the colourful sketches from Moon - the
M6's favourite sons, the multi award-winning Welsh talents of Matt Rees, the highly anticipated
debut show from BBC New Comedy Award finalist Sindhu Vee, Owen Roberts - one third of sketch
legends Beasts, the Amused Moose Breakthrough Comic 2017 Rob Oldham, 8 Out Of 10 Cats’ very
own Rosie Jones, Sarah Keyworth – Funny Women Runner Up, the masterful winner of BBC1’s
Celebrity Mastermind George Lewis, the hotly anticipated debut from Leicester Comedy Festival
Best Show nominee 2018 Jake Lambert, an hour of non-stop, razor-sharp, unadulterated show
business from The Crooners and stars of award-winning Fringe favourites BattleActs (BBC Radio 1),
EGG who bring us sketches inspired by fierce women in EGG: Richard Pictures.

Last year saw the birth of some incredible new comedy talent and, what’s more, they’re back to
tickle our funny bones this summer. Critically-acclaimed comedy star Tom Houghton returns to
Edinburgh to discover that true honour often lies where you’d least expect it. After a sell-out debut
year, Tessa Coates (Massive Dad) is back with another show about how we got here and what on
earth everyone thinks they're playing at. The award-winning Swedish stand-up Evelyn Mok explores
responsibility, blame and cake in this much-anticipated second hour. Tom Lucy is one of the
youngest professional comedians on the circuit, a millennial, and this blistering hour of new material
explores why he just isn’t happy about it!

Also returning is the hilarious Daniel Cook, the sketch stylings of Briony Redman, critically acclaimed
character comedian Emma Sidi and comical illustrator Richard Todd. Then there are the returning
double acts providing a double whammy of fun for us – BBC Radio 4 favourite’s The Pin, the

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gloriously silly Great British Mysteries, debauched late night sketch comedy pair Norris & Parker,
Beard – the best kept secrets in comedy (well, not any more) and innovative sketch duo Sisters.

The Pleasance Comedy Reserve is back for its 14th year at the Edinburgh Fringe with another four
dazzling new acts – Chloe Petts, Helen Bauer, Jack Gleadow and Michael Odewale - handpicked by
the Pleasance and supported by the Charlie Hartill Special Reserve Fund. This is your chance to see
the freshest comedy talent of 2018 from the show that helped launch the careers of Jack Whitehall,
Roisin Conaty, Joe Lycett, Simon Brodkin, Holly Walsh, Daniel Rigby and others!

If you’re looking for something a bit different later in the evening then Pleasance will have the
answers. The Free Association returns with Jacuzzi, the hottest improv show on the Fringe where
every night a special guest comedian will join an all-star team of improvisers. Or Comedians Against
Humanity challenges the Fringe's best comedians to create material on the spot in this interactive,
inappropriate and improvised show. Plus The Lampoons are back with their joyously absurd and
furiously bizarre late-night reimagining of a Hollywood classic.

If your sides haven’t yet split open with laughter and your eyes aren’t yet watering then there’s still
more… AAA Stand-Up returns with a brand-new line-up after incredible sell-outs from 2005-2017!
And there’s a late-night version too! Clingfilm is the dark, sparkly world of Iza, Tuts & Lils - three
socially anxious hipsters working it all out. Mervyn Stutter's Pick of the Fringe is a now legendary
daily showcase offering an amazing mix of everything, carefully researched by Merv’s dedicated
team. Murder She Didn't Write: The Improvised Murder Mystery is a classic murder mystery
created on-the-spot in this ingenious show. Nicholas Parsons' Happy Hour is an unmissable comedy
and chat show. The Cambridge Footlights International Tour Show 2018 offers free-flowing hilarity,
excellent original writing and side-splitting character comedy.

And that’s not even the whole programme. Watch out for the next round of shows to go on sale
and be ready with your highlighters. The Pleasance programme should certainly be the pick of your
Fringe this August.

Notes to Editors

Twitter                         @ThePleasance, #ThePleasance
Facebook                        Facebook.com/ThePleasance

Box Office                      Tickets for all shows are available at www.pleasance.co.uk and 0131
                                556 6550.

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Pleasance Theatre Trust

As a registered charity in Scotland, England and Wales, the Pleasance Theatre Trust aims to create a
compelling platform to discover, nurture and support fresh artistic talent from across the globe. As a
not for profit organisation, all proceeds from the Festival are invested back into the development of
new people and new ideas.

Since opening in Edinburgh in 1985, the Pleasance has become renowned for delivering an inspiring
programme year on year that uniquely embodies the spirit of the Festival Fringe. In 2017, the
Pleasance presented a programme of 260 shows, with over a third of companies and performers
making their debut at the Fringe and over 150 premieres.

The Trust’s Artist Development arm, Pleasance Futures, acts as an incubator for bold new talent to
make their mark on the Fringe, with an array of initiatives including the Charlie Hartill Special
Reserve Fund, Young Pleasance, XYP and Associate Programme. As part of the 2018 Festival, the
Pleasance will commit over £60,000 of direct funding to such projects.

The Pleasance Theatre Islington has been one of the most exciting Fringe theatres in London since it
opened its doors in 1995, providing a launch pad for some of the most memorable productions and
renowned practitioners over the past two decades, staying true to the Trust’s mission of providing a
platform for the talent of the future.

All enquiries, high res images and further information:

Tilly Wilson, Chloé Nelkin Consulting
E: tilly@chloenelkinconsulting.com, M: 07707 779 608
W: www.chloenelkinconsulting.com

To book review tickets, please contact:

Pleasance Press Office, press@pleasance.co.uk

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