Pleasance at 30: Looking Ahead

Pleasance director Anthony Alderson offers a look at some of the many highlights from this year's programme

Feature | 12 Aug 2014

Whether you are in Edinburgh for the whole month of August, a week, a day or even just an afternoon or evening, it would quite simply be tragic if you didn’t get a chance to join us at the Pleasance for what we hope will be one of the most memorable festivals in our 30 year history.

You are welcome to come and spend time hanging out in the Courtyard or Dome, soaking up the atmosphere, enjoying the bars and cafes, but while that is fun, it really is only part of the experience. For those thrill-seeking culture junkies amongst you, the true experience of the festival only really comes to life after you have seen a few of the 230 shows in the programme. Each year I see something that makes me laugh, cry, howl, cringe or just think. Whether you’re after comedy, drama, sketch, physical theatre, music or children’s shows, the Pleasance programme is of the highest quality anywhere on the festival. You really should come and join us.

For those of you with children that you wish were inspired just long enough to part with their iPods and pick up a musical instrument, then check out the incredibly gorgeous and talented Amelia Robinson and her show Mil’s Trills, or the exceptional musical mayhem of Decomposed. If it’s the mischievous world of Dr Seuss or giant puppets (some with teeth), tall tales, famous detectives or good old fashioned storytelling that you think might excite, well look no further than The Cat in the Hat, Dinosaur Zoo, Emily Brown and The Thing, Potted Sherlock or The Little Prince in the Desert. Between shows, there is the Pleasance Kidzone where giant loom band creations, shrinky dinks and puppet making are the craze.

For those of you in need of unending love, tragedy, ecstasy, legend, joy, sadness, jealousy, seduction, scandal, war, sex, cannibalism and hallucinatory drugs, then an afternoon in the Pleasance is highly recommended. Forgotten Voices will bring you to tears, Light will fascinate and spellbind you, Kingmaker will seduce you, The Curing Room will shock you, Civil Rogues will inspire you, My Way will lift you, Jamaica Farewell will enthral and move you, Inheritance Blues will rock you, Dracula will seduce you and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas will take you on the most unexpected journey of your life.

After all of that it might be a good moment to have a cup of tea, or possibly something stronger! There are nine bars and cafes to choose from; you might even manage to blag your way into the infamous and exclusive performers bar Brooke’s Club. It’s a refuge for the press and a sanctuary of peace for performers. You never know who you might meet.

For those of you in search of busting laughter – I laughed so much I wet my pants sort of moments – then our Head of Comedy, Ryan Taylor, has an assortment of treats in store for you. The very best of character comedy comes action packed in the form of Adam Riches, with sketch comedy in the form of Massive Dad, The Pin or The Beta Males. If you like it wrapped in magic and mystery then check out Morgan and West or Pete Firman and for the ultimate in stand-up look no further than the Pleasance line-up. Over the years an act at the Pleasance has clinched the Comedy Award more times than seems fair and this year there are some real treats in store.

And finally my last tip is to check in with those returning legends Ennio Marchetto, Peter Straker, Arthur Smith and The Reduced Shakespeare Company. They may have been to the festival a few times before, but the reason is simple… they’re brilliant!

See you at the festival and above all, have a Pleasance day!