A Dispatch from the Deep Theatrical Underground
by Hogan Grimsbane, Shadow Correspondent for Theatre Village
As the nights draw in and the wind sharpens over Caledonian Road, something stirs beneath the floorboards of the Pleasance. Whispers rise from the trapdoors, and a restless energy begins to dance through the rafters. The stage lights are being tested. Costumes are stitched with urgency. The boards are calling.
This autumn and winter, the Pleasance doesn’t just open its doors — it unleashes a storm. What begins with a forbidden classic — Mistero Buffo, sharp and unflinching — soon builds into a crescendo of visceral new writing, boundary-breaking physical theatre, riotous queer cabaret, and spectral mischief. The house is alive with purpose, with play, with protest.
From Halloween horrors that celebrate trans joy and theatrical rebellion, to a glitter-drenched reimagining of Oz for the festive season, the Pleasance presents a season that doesn’t just entertain — it provokes, questions, and transforms.
Make no mistake. This isn’t just a programme — it’s a reckoning. And it begins now.
Pleasance’s London autumn/winter season brings together award-winning returning companies,
bold new writing, standout Edinburgh transfers, a gloriously debauched Halloween takeover and
a glittering six-week Christmas spectacular where the whole family can boogie on down the
Yellow Brick Caledonian Road.
Opening this exciting season, Rhum + Clay make their much-anticipated return with Dario Fo’s
devilishly funny masterpiece, Mistero Buffo, a darkly comic look at the absurdities and
inequalities of everyday life. Originally banned for being blasphemous, Mistero Buffo takes an
unflinching but humorous aim at those who manipulate truth and belief for power and
control. A tour-de-force turn that saw Julian Spooner awarded The Stage’s Award for Best
Performance, this is an extraordinary, virtuosic romp through a hundred characters and
locations told by just one man.
Pleasance’s glittering Christmas season will see two versions of Wicked Witches – A Popular
Panto staged – a festive treat for all the family, as well as a cheeky adults-only version. It has
been 20 years since Dorothy tumbled over the rainbow but now a surprise snowstorm whisks
her back to the tinsel-tastic Borough of Oz-lington, where she finds the magical land in
mayhem! Dorothy joins forces once more with Scarecrow, Lion and shiny new TinPerson 2.0 on
an epic quest to stop the storm, defeat the witch and save Christmas. Bursting with toe-tapping
tunes, magical mayhem and dazzling drag sparkle, this festive extravaganza is written and
directed by ShayShay (Mulan Rouge, Bitten Peach, The Simple Life) and produced by Pleasance,
in association with The Vaults. The outrageous adults-only version, Wicked Witches – A Popular
Panto for Adults!, sees Oz transformed into a land of filthy fun, with diva drama and glittery
rivalry. Filled with holiday shade and naughty humour, click your heels for a wicked night of
chaos in Oz.
Halloween at Pleasance is a camp, queer, horror-fuelled takeover of the Main House and Studio,
packed with musicals, pop culture, and trans celebration. The Simple Life and Death directed by
Fizz Sinclair (Mulan Rouge, Carmen 1808) and ShayShay, sees the iconic noughties duo return to
the farm – but this time, there’s a killer on the loose. When morning comes, who will be dead …
and who will be sliving? Trans superstars of the UK cabaret scene will invoke the spirits of the
season in TRANS-sylvania! As they cast spells and brew potions, bringing spectacularly freaky
circus, tributes to iconic horror movies, and your favourite Halloween tropes as you’ve never
seen them before. In Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More W/ EVEN MORE Feeling!, watch in
awe as two of London’s stagiest drag clowns – Crayola the Queen (three-time opener for
Chappell Roan) and Crusty (Funny Business, Big Shoes 2 Fill) – single-handedly bring an entire
musical to life, making it queer AF in the process. Finally, SUCKER 4 U offers two spooky and
sticky performances about a doomed interdimensional romance between a man and giant
monster-squid-from-beyond-the-stars.
Who says theatre ends when the show does? This season, Pleasance keeps the fun going late
into the night, with Halloween parties and festive cabaret takeovers led by drag royalty and
cabaret stars, including the likes of The Enby Show and Our Gay Maria – a proper alternative
nightlife offer for North London.
Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund winners travel to the London venue fresh from the Edinburgh
Fringe. Based on historical events, Kanpur: 1857 is a new play that comically satirises
contemporary conflicts around gender, colonial violence, and making art in times of crisis. It is
written by and stars ‘storytelling genius’ ★★★★★ (The Scotsman) Niall Moorjani and co
directed by and stars Jonathan Oldfield, director of 2024’s Best Newcomer Award-winning show.
And there is even more to discover in the Main House. After selling out shows across the
country, Luke Wright returns with Pub Grub – a sticky-floored celebration of the ordinary, where
the poet conjures up a world of Tuesday lunchtimes and small-town boozers in poems that burst
with inventive language celebrating the strange beauty of everyday life. Award-winning physical
theatre ensemble Voloz Collective is back with new show Redacted: The cover-up of a cover-up
of a cover-up – a genre-smashing, time-bending epic packed with virtuosic physical theatre and
acrobatics. Spanning thirty years of corruption, crime, and increasingly incompetent cops, it is
an adrenaline-fuelled odyssey through America’s most absurd manhunt.
Ellie Simpson, Head of Theatre London at Pleasance Theatre Trust, comments, This season
marks my first full programme – the beginning of an exciting next chapter in Pleasance’s year
round work in the capital. We’re bringing together returning favourites and original new voices,
building on our reputation for championing daring, distinctive artists. It’s a real kaleidoscope of
new writing, theatrical risk-takers, and genre-defying performance. We’re also placing renewed
focus on longer runs and supporting artists at every stage, blending early-career brilliance with
established trailblazers. I hope you’ll join us in the audience.
Director of Pleasance Theatre Trust, Anthony Alderson, remarks, As we approach 30 years of the
Pleasance in London, we’re reminded that great things often begin against the odds. What
started as a bold idea in a quiet corner of London, has grown into a vital part of London’s cultural
landscape – a place where the best and brightest new voices in theatre, comedy, and
performance have taken root and thrived. This season it’s about renewing our commitment to
the next generation of creative rising stars.
This season is bold, playful, political and proudly theatrical – a statement about the kind of work
Pleasance London is platforming now. It champions distinctive voices across form and genre and
blends ambitious programming with generous support for artists. This is just a snapshot – the full
line-up includes more new writing, queer cabaret, political satire and joyfully original work.
Explore the full programme below or at www.pleasance.co.uk/events/type/Autumn-Winter
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