Support Us / History of Pleasance Theatre Trust
The Pleasance Theatre Trust
The Pleasance was founded by Christopher Richardson in 1985 to present, support and develop the very best talent at the world’s largest international Arts Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 1995, in order to continue developing the work it was supporting on the Fringe, the Pleasance built two theatres in Islington, North London. In 2004, Anthony Alderson took over the Directorship with the intention to develop artistic entrepreneurship and the opportunities the Pleasance platform offers artists and audiences alike by developing the touring platform, increasing the number of venues in Edinburgh, expanding the site in London, and exploring new art-forms. As a Registered Charity, the Pleasance Theatre Trust has:
- Created performance space and provided facilities and support for over 5,000 productions, that have to date involved over 40,000 people within the arts and theatre industry
- Been the launch-pad and test-bed for the work of some of our best loved comedians, actors, directors, writers, producers and technicians
With 26 performing spaces in Edinburgh and London, ranging from 50 – 800 seats, the Pleasance has been able to present artists at the pinnacle of their careers alongside those just beginning.
All of this has happened without regular public subsidy – there are few theatres in the world that can match this achievement.
Some of our charitable activities include:
- Young Pleasance, our young people’s theatre company Charlie Hartill Special Reserve Fund, a designated fund which supports young, up-and-coming comedians and theatre companies. Both YP and the Charlie Fund perform in London and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Alumni of the Fund include Simon Brodkin (Lee Nelson), Jack Whitehall, this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Roisin Conaty, Oliver Maltman who starred in Mike Leigh’s new movie ANOTHER YEAR, and 2011 BAFTA winner Daniel Rigby who starred as the young Eric Morecombe in BBC 2’s ERIC AND ERNIE. Theatre productions include, FAILED STATES, THE MEETING, TERRITORY and A STROKE OF GENIUS.
Like all independent theatres our very survival depends on donations big and small - all donations are gratefullly received!!! - Click on the links beside to get involved with the Pleasance.
If you would like to make a donation then please Gift Aid us by ticking the Gift Aid box. This means that we will also get 20p that would ordinarily have gone to the Tax Man!
The Pleasance Theatre Trust is a not for profit organisation and has been a registered charity since 1995. Charity no. 1050944
