The Pleasance Announces First On-Sale Shows for the 2018 Edinburgh Festival

An entire festival in itself, the Pleasance's programme will offer some of the biggest names in entertainment, much-loved returning acts and exciting newcomers over three sites. The first released names in this year's line-up hint at the epic full programme in store for the 2018 Fringe, with tickets available from Thursday 1st February.

Reginald D Hunter celebrates his 20th year on the Fringe with his highly anticipated new show. Reginald's searingly honest brand of comedy is one of the many highlights of a much-expanded programme at Pleasance at EICC, which promises the very best in comedy, circus and theatre, all under one state-of-the-art roof.

Joining the bill at the EICC is internationally acclaimed, award-winning Scottish stand-up star Daniel Sloss, who returns to the Festival with new show X, and a double dose of Fringe regular Jimeoin, who brings Result! and the late-night Roast Chicken Result!

Elsewhere, the Pleasance Courtyard remains one of the Festival's best-loved and most familiar sites, and in 2018 there's even more magic in the air...

Scotland's very own forensic mind reader Colin Cloud makes a triumphant return to the Pleasance Grand after his sell-out 2017 run, with a brand-new thrill-ride of a show; Psycho(logical). Cloud has won worldwide acclaim for his astounding deductions and outrageous stunts, most recently wowing audiences on America's Got Talent, Michael McIntrye's Big Show and the Royal Variety Performance. He promises that for better or worse, audiences will leave altered forever. You have been warned.

Meanwhile, over at Pleasance Beyond, TV regular and Fringe favourite Pete Firman's new show Marvel combines laugh-out-loud comedy and jaw-dropping magic.

Olivier Award-winning (Best Entertainment and Family Show 2016) West End hit Showstoppers! The Improvised Musical also returns for its 11th consecutive year. A brand-new musical comedy is created from scratch at every performance of this multi award-winning show, with audience suggestions transformed into hilarious all-singing, all-dancing productions. For family audiences, the Showstoppers team will also appear in The Showstoppers' Kids Show - taking suggestions from kids (and only kids!) to create interactive musical adventures.

At Pleasance One, Just a Minute regular and One Show reporter Gyles Brandreth is back with a riotous celebration of all things theatrical in Break A Leg! Delivering a dazzling hour of wit, wisdom, high drama, low comedy and hilarious name-dropping, the show follows Brandreth's last three Edinburgh appearances, all of which were five-star sell outs.

Also taking to the Pleasance stage is Hal Cruttenden, who has been (literally) filling our screens recently on Have I Got News for You and Live at the Apollo. His daughters chose the title of his new stand-up show; Chubster.

The Pleasance will continue to add to its award-winning programme, with over 200 shows still to be announced in March, April and May. With comedy, theatre, circus, magic, dance, kid's shows and much more still to come, alongside support for some of the most innovative newcomers through artist development strand Pleasance Futures, there's surely no better place to be this August.

As a registered charity in Scotland, England and Wales, the Pleasance Theatre Trust aims to create a compelling platform to discover, nurture and support fresh artistic talent from across the globe. As a not for profit organisation, all proceeds from the Festival are invested back into the development of new people and new ideas.

Since opening in Edinburgh in 1985, the Pleasance has become renowned for delivering an inspiring programme year on year that uniquely embodies the spirit of the Festival Fringe. In 2017, the Pleasance presented a programme of 260 shows, with over a third of companies and performers making their debut at the Fringe and over 150 premieres.

The Trust's Artist Development arm, Pleasance Futures, acts as an incubator for bold new talent to make their mark on the Fringe, with an array of initiatives including the Charlie Hartill Special Reserve Fund, Young Pleasance, XYP and Associate Programme. As part of the 2018 Festival, the Pleasance will commit over £60,000 of direct funding to such projects.

The Pleasance Theatre Islington has been one of the most exciting Fringe theatres in London since it opened its doors in 1995, providing a launch pad for some of the most memorable productions and renowned practitioners over the past two decades, staying true to the Trust's mission of providing a platform for the talent of the future.

www.pleasance.co.uk

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