The Fringe. What does it mean to you? The Edinburgh festival is where it all started, to describe all of the small companies that performed around the edges of the main drama. The word took off, and now ‘fringe theatre’ is the term for all theatre that is produced outside the established venues – more importantly it’s where you will find new playwrights, comics testing out their up and coming material, actors at the start of their careers, and a commitment to new works that pushes the boundaries. It is the beating heart of performance.
The Pleasance Theatre opened as part of the 1985 Edinburgh Festival. After thirty five seasons it has grown to become one of the biggest and most highly regarded venues, producing shows across three different sites. It is also a London fringe theatre, and considered a vital launch pad for new productions and comedians. It has stayed close to its original roots.
It comprises of a main auditorium and a studio space – also giving room to the excellent Depot bar and kitchen. There are cabaret-style tables inside the theatre with beer-to-table service. The place oozes atmosphere, so just go and enjoy, you can grab quality theatre tickets for as little as £5……or pull up a chair in Edinburgh – now there’s an excuse for a visit.
