Edinburgh National Partnerships

Supporting artists from across the UK bringing work to the Edinburgh Fringe

About the Edinburgh National Partnerships Initiative

What is it?

The Pleasance works with partner theatres across the UK to identify and support exceptional artists and companies local to them who want to take work to the Fringe. Each partner is a leading national producing house, with a commitment to supporting and developing new artists. This programme recognises the extraordinary work being created across the country, and hopes to provide tangible support to these companies to present at the Fringe. Together, we hope to make a substantial contribution to develop the next generation of leading theatre-makers and companies.

In 2024 our partner organisations are:

  • Bristol Old Vic
  • Theatre Royal Plymouth
  • Leicester Curve
  • Pitlochry Festival Theatre
  • Sherman Theatre
  • Lyric Belfast

Who is it for?

Working with our partner theatres we will identify dynamic artists at different stages in their careers. Each partner theatre’s submission process will be different, but the primary aim of the scheme remains the same; to uncover and support the best companies and artists from across the UK to present work at the Fringe! To be eligible for the Edinburgh National Partnerships, you will need to be making work locally to a partnering venue.

What do you get?

  • Minimum of £2000 financing towards the costs of presenting your show at the Fringe
  • A package of PR & marketing
  • Guaranteed inclusion within our Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme
  • Edinburgh Fringe registration covered by local partner theatre
  • One-week minimum of in-kind rehearsal and development space from local partner theatre
  • A programming option in our London transfer run post-Fringe
  • Mentorship, support and advice from both local partner theatre and the Pleasance leading up to, and during the Fringe
  • Support to develop and deliver accessible performances as part of your run

You can apply for the Edinburgh National Partnerships via the respective partner venues. Links to these are provided below and please note that application timelines differ between venues.

To keep up to date with artist development news and opportunities, please sign up to our artist newsletter and twitter - both can be found here. 

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"Supporting and developing new work is central to the Lyric Theatre’s mission, so we were delighted to partner with the Pleasance Theatre Trust to support local shows to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer.  We had exceptional submissions and are proud that two shows have been selected – The Half Moon by Alice Malseed and Scaredy Fat by Colm McCready. The support from the Pleasance Theatre Trust helps to strengthen our commitment to supporting Northern Irish artists and their work." Jimmy Fay, Executive Producer, Lyric Belfast

"Pitlochry Festival Theatre is delighted to be working with the Pleasance as a partner venue to nurture and champion amazing artists to bring work to the Fringe.  In our third year as a partner,  we are excited to be supporting Glenna Morrison with her new show Guffy, which will be rehearsing at the Theatre in July." Deborah Dickinson, Producer, Pitlochry Festival Theatre

"It’s brilliant to partner with an organisation like the Pleasance on an offer that will help an artist or company from the South West get their show up to the Fringe. We are now in our fourth year of partnership and it’s amazing to see already how this collaboration has supported artists to make work that has gone on to win awards, tour all over the country and given many artists a platform from which to build the connections they need for a sustainable career. The economics of the Fringe are possibly the toughest they have ever been, and in the current climate the support of venues and organisations to help incredible emerging work find a footing on this amazing international stage is vital." Ben Atterbury, New Work Producer, Bristol Old Vic

"We are delighted to be partnering again with the Pleasance Pathways project. This initiative is not only a great support to theatre makers, but also gives us a valuable opportunity to directly connect with a range of local  artists and companies during the selection process. We are excited to see a York grown piece head to Edinburgh this year and are looking forward to supporting the development of this year’s piece, as well as the future life of many others in the making." Juliet Forster​, Creative Director, York Theatre Royal