Nurturing the next generation of bold theatre-makers, Pleasance Futures, the artist development
strand of the Pleasance Theatre Trust, ensures support for exciting up-and-coming talent from the
whole UK in the arts. For its 41st Edinburgh Fringe, the Pleasance will offer over £100,000 in support
of the theatre artists of tomorrow, with 30 shows being directly supported by Pleasance Futures.
This unprecedented level of artist support facilitates accessibility and diversity in the arts, ensuring
new talent from can present work at the greatest arts festival in the world while receiving support
and mentoring from the Pleasance.
The Charlie Hartill Fund supports UK-based theatre makers and comedians in bringing their work to
the Fringe. Running for over 20 years with generous investment each year, the flagship fund offers
unique and unparalleled support to artists through direct cash investment, programming, and
mentoring support. Previously, Olivier Award-winning Flesh + Bone from Unpolished Theatre and
sell-out smash-hit Public – The Musical has benefited from the fund, highlighting how vital the work
of Pleasance Futures is.
In 2025, Charlie Hartill funding recipients will include Bunkum Ensemble’s The Unstoppable Rise of
Ben Manager, a dark satire and surrealist physical comedy with live music and songs. After taking a
dead man’s lanyard for safekeeping and wearing it on the day of his job interview, Ben Weaver
begins his relentless promotion, climbing increasingly higher until a dark truth emerges. Alongside,
Global Majority winner Kanpur: 1857 based on historical events, as Niall Moorjani’s explosive new
play comically satirises contemporary conflicts around gender, colonial violence, and making art in
times of crisis.
To honour its third decade, The Pleasance Comedy Reserve, funded by the Charlie Hartill Fund, has
helped launch the careers of Joe Lycett, Brett Goldstein, Roisin Conaty, Jamali Maddix, Lou Sanders,
Chloe Petts, Sophie Duker and Jack Whitehall and many more. This year’s line-up highlights four
incredible up-and-coming comedy acts. These include: Dane Buckley, Daniel Petrie, Jen Nolan and
Maia Tassalini.
The hugely successful Edinburgh National Partnerships programme returns for a seventh year, with
the Pleasance partnering with national producing houses to support extraordinary work around the
UK and Northern Ireland. Alright Sunshine, supported by Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a punchy,
provocative monologue play written by award-winning Edinburgh playwright Isla Cowan, that will
explore gender, power, and the politics of public space. Down to Chance, supported by Theatre
Royal Plymouth offers a heartwarming portrait of a community in crisis in 1964 Alaska, as the
protagonists find themselves at the centre of a remarkable relief effort with the whole world
listening.
LEI-LDN, supported by Leicester Curve is a vibrant exploration of identity and belonging, that follows
Chardaye, a young mixed-race woman, as she relocates from Leicester to South London to live with
her Jamaican aunt. Writer and multi-disciplinary rebel Leila Navabi will return to the Edinburgh
Fringe with the Sherman Theatre Wales supported Relay, following a sell-out debut hour with
Composition and tour support for Laura Smyth, Jessica Fostekew, and Nish Kumar. Lyric Belfast is
supporting Rose + Bud, a heartfelt and heart-breaking queer comedy about self-acceptance.
With soaring ambition and a wellspring of youthful energy, Young Pleasance is truly nurturing the
stars of the future, offering opportunities for young people aged 16-21. Past members include
Nicholas Galitzine (Mary & George, 2024; The Idea of You, 2024) and Ella Balinska (Charlie’s Angels,
2019). This year, Young Pleasance celebrates 30 years at the Edinburgh Fringe with their love letter to
theatre in Ghost Light. The show follows Drury Lane’s costume assistant, Izzy, on a nostalgic journey
through costume departments of the past, as she unwittingly evokes the memories of theatre
legends Nell Gwynn, Vesta Tilley, Sarah Siddons, and many more.
With more shows to be announced over the coming weeks there will be comedy, theatre, circus,
magic, dance, kids’ shows and much more.
Thanks is given to Garfield Weston Foundation and Foyle Foundation for their support of the Edinburgh
National Partnerships programme and all foundations and donors for their ongoing, generous
support of the Pleasance Theatre Trust.
Tickets for all shows are available at www.pleasance.co.uk and 0131
556 6550.
