A FUND FOR NEW THEATRE

The Charlie Hartill Special Reserve is a rolling fund towards the production costs of selected projects - shows which have more than four people on the stage and where at least 40% of the company, in whatever capacity, are within five years of full-time education. The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support in the form of an investment so that the writers, directors, technicians, producers and performers of the future might have an opportunity to hone their talents.

In 2005 Minor Irritations by Sam Peter Jackson and The Comedy Reserve (featuring Simon Brodkin, Lee Bannard, Oliver Maltman and Roisin Conaty) became the first beneficiaries of the Special Reserve and both were presented at the 2005 Festival Fringe. In November 2005 Charlie Hartill's very own Aladdin - The New Pantomime became the first production in London to receive an investment from the Special Reserve Fund. We hope there will be many more.

The Special Reserve Fund was established in 2004 in memory of Charlie Hartill, who died in January of that year - wit, writer, performer, ex-President of The Cambridge Footlights, 8 years a director of the Festival Fringe and the Pleasance's man of the computer. He is very much missed not just for his practical skills and quite extraordinary contributions to all things Pleasance but as the most engaging of human beings. He laughed a lot, constantly entertaining so many of those who met him, and he liked a glass of wine. He was 32.

If you can, do please give generously by filling in the gift aid form.

Alternatively, please drink generously at the Hamish D bar in Pleasance Islington where every glass of Charlie's Special Reserve Wine carries a contribution (11.5% by volume) to The Charlie Hartill Special Reserve Fund.

Those who can't visit us in person might also be interested to know that Charlie's Special Reserve can be purchased by the case for only £30 - please contact Juan on 020 7619 6868 or email juan@pleasance.co.uk for more details!