Heading up to the festival but not sure what to watch? Here’s our lowdown on Pleasance’s unmissable hits.
We’ve already rounded up the best shows to watch at Pleasance Theatre’s London base but the renowned theatre is upping sticks this summer to put on a top selection of shows at the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The largest arts festival in the world will play host to thousands of incredible acts but these are the ones not to miss from London’s finest independent theatre.
Bible John
Scotland’s “Darkest unsolved crime” comes in the form of Bible John, a story focused around the Barrowlands Ballroom in Glasgow, when three women are murdered by an Old Testament-quoting serial killer, nicknamed Bible John. Follow the story as four women bound by their obsession with true crime want to change that. It’s a riotous, furious, joyful exploration of violence, gender and one of Scotland’s darkest mysteries.
A Womb of One’s Own
Funny, clever and politically challenging, A Womb of One’s Own follows Babygirl on her journey of self and sexual discovery, exploring the emotional rollercoaster that is an unwanted pregnancy and asking why it’s still such a taboo.
A Grave Situation
Described as “an absolute triumph”, The Pleasance’s ‘breathtakingly skilled ensemble’ (Scotsman) present their brilliantly inventive comedy revival ‘A Grave Situation’. Armed with only five spades and Albert’s trusty toothpick, will our grave-digging heroes tunnel back to Blighty in time to return Ethel’s library book, see Ginger earn his wings and taste Daphne’s Battenburg? All will be revealed!
A Brief History of the Fragile Male Ego
The multi award-winning Jordan & Skinner present a riotous new solo show that cuts to the bone of gender politics. We’ll give you a taster: Andrea has been giving her lecture but it’s not been going well – previous events were marred by protests and she’s hoping the open-minded audience at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will hear her out.
The Accident Did Not Take Place
Presented by YESYESNONO in association with The Pleasance comes “The Accident Did Not Take Place”. You’ll have to use your imagination for this one, as all that’s been revealed is the following: Somewhere on the other side of the world a plane is falling from the sky. You can see it on your laptop. You can watch it happening on Youtube. You can watch it burning on repeat. A new guest performer each night. A frenzy of post-truth news.
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds promises a topical show exploring the ongoing power of fake events to cause real reactions. Intense, unsettling and entertaining, this super-smart and multi-layered show proves that in dark times the truth is a precious commodity. You’ll walk away second guessing everything you thought you knew.
The Last of the Pelican Daughters
Developed with Complicité and in association with Bristol Old Vic and Pleasance is “The Last of the Pelican Daughters”. The Wardrobe Ensemble grapple with inheritance, loss and justice in this comedy about four sisters trying to come to terms with their mother’s death. Will you laugh or cry? Maybe both!
Beach Body Ready
Join The Roaring Girls at Edinburgh Fringe for a defiantly feel-good show, which sticks two fingers up at how the media says you should look. Summer has rocked up and the media has everyone thinking about how their bodies aren’t up to scratch and there are companies ready to capitalise on that. They’ve been shamed, dehumanised, and humiliated for how they look and they’ve had enough.
Swim
SWIM is a brand new show from theatre makers Liz Richardson (Gutted), Josie Dale-Jones (dressed. and Me & My Bee) and Sam Ward (Five Encounters on a Site Called Craigslist and [insert slogan here]). With live music, videography and playful, intimate storytelling, SWIM is about isolation, being held and just jumping in.
The Incident Room
Follow Sergeant Megan Winterburn as she joins hundreds of officers working around the clock to find the man known as the Yorkshire Ripper. With public pressure mounting, the investigation resorts to increasingly audacious attempts to catch one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers. From the award-winning creators of Secret Life of Humans and Down and Out in Paris and London, New Diorama go behind the scenes and investigate the case that broke the British police force.
This article was written in association with Pleasance Theatre. 18+ only. Find out more about Edinburgh Fringe Festival here. The 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 02 – 26 August.