Issue #09 - 12th August - FREE
Q&A WITH LEGENDARY PERFORMERS
»» Keeping Wet
Despite the Rain
Time Radical: JULIAN Sands, Art Malik »» Free Trapped Together and Steven Berkoff
The Many
2
Costumes of
MR. BENN 5
4
1 - SUIT - His standard outfit (black suit and bowler hat) is worn every day, including weekends. Mr Benn is the traditional British gentleman. 2 - DIVER - Underwater, Mr Benn helps a sea monster who’s afraid of a photographer frogman. 3 - COOK - Donning a white jacket and shirt, Mr Benn helps a princess who doesn’t want to eat. 4 - WIZARD - A Queen dissatisfied with her King recieves helpful advice from Mr Benn. 5 - COWBOY - Mr Benn proves his skill in a game of Hide & Seek with Cowboys & Indians. Mr Benn, Pleasance Courtyard, 3-18 Aug 11:30
2 for1 COUPON
MR BENN
Redeem On: 12,13 Aug 2011, 11:30am Pleasance Courtyard
[Redeem coupon at box offices in person, Subject to Availability]
3
Photos by Idil Sukan
1
Q&A WITH: steVen berkoff, JULIAN SANDS, Art Malik
Legendary performers discuss life, work and achievements
Julian Sands, Photo by Idil Sukan
Any questions for legendary performers Julian Sands, Art Malik or Steven Berkoff? What has been their greatest artistic achievement? In which direction are they heading? Pleasance’s podcast, recorded live at the Courtard, could be your chance to ask. Three podcasts - named Pleasance Bytes and taking the form of a masterclass similar to those hosted by Actors Studio, New York - will be recorded in front of a live audience. Journalist Mark Fisher will interview Julian Sands Art Malik and Steven Berkoff about theatre, film and their style of working. Live recordings these three extraordinary talents will be broadcast to wider audiences via Pleasance’s Theatre Podcast, alongside Pleasance’s already chart-topping Pleasance Comedy Podcast. “Pleasance Bytes should proove invaluable for companies or individuals who are interested in making or enjoying theatre”, said Producer Hannah Eidinow. “It will be fascinating for those who want to find out more about our three performers, but also those looking for an insight into the theatre and film industries.” Pleasance Bytes, Pleasance Courtyard, 13 (Julian Sands) / 20 (Art Malik) / 27 (Steven Berkoff) Aug, 12:00, All Tickets £5.00
FREE TIME RADICAL: TRAPPED TOGETHER Trapped in a London flat, stranded after a tsunami destroyed the world outside, two men have only each other and a damp living room that looks suspiciously like a skate ramp. In making the show, company members Frankland, Sebastien and Jamie found themselves in similar situations... “During the making process we had many lengthy conversations about the fact that the core of the company is made up of three men. We talked a lot about masculinity, competitiveness and the implications of three men getting together to make a play. “We created the show in short bursts of rehearsal – often away from home. This forced us to focus on making the show without the
distraction of real life seeping in. It was hard trying to push the world away, trying to not think about relationships and the bills that needed paying. “At one point we spent a week ‘researching’ in a lighthouse at Bull Point, North Devon. We would spend our days surfing at Puttsborough and drive back to the lighthouse exhausted, talking about ideas we had had and sharing films and books
that were inspiring us while a storm raged outside. “One thing that we found was that being on our own gave us an excuse to be silly and playful. There was always an element of daring each other and seeing who was willing to go the furthest. We spent an entire week in the rehearsal room, creating ever increasingly dangerous skateboard stunts and then practicing until we could pull them off. There was a competitiveness, but it was a supportive not aggressive masculine environment. “I think we discovered that we are braver as a group, that we challenge and encourage each other to do or think about thinks in a different way. Most importantly we found out how impossible it is to do absolutely nothing, and how hard it is to have some free time.” Free Time Radical, Pleasance Courtyard, 3-28 Aug (Not 16, 23), 13:10
KEEPING WET Despite the Rain Everyone else in Edinburgh is struggling to keep dry. The actors of Grisly Tales From Tumblewater, meanwhile, are trying their best to stay wet. Arriving in their dressing room, the actors shake the drops off their coats, wring out their socks and get into costume. Once dressed (in bright yellow ponchos) they re-wet themselves ready for the stage. What’s so important about being wet? Grisly Tales is set in Tumblewater, a town cursed with eternal rain. “This week Edinburgh has seen exceptionally ridiculous weather” said performer Edward Jaspers, “but it’s still got nothing on Tumblewater. At the start of the play, one Tumblewater local challenges “You’re not from around here; you
@ThePleasance #pleztimes RT @1blindsummit @SoldPlayEdFest thank you for awesome show this morning -loved it and was totally overwhelmed. XX #pleztimes #edfringe RT @laffoffstigma ok gang kagools on! We’re off up to @thepleasance to speak to the lovely @freshfringe and buy our squelchy bucket shakers a hot cuppa Ed Jaspers gets wet before the show. look too dry.” Edward admitted “that line hasn’t made so much sense this week”. Grisly Tales from Tumblewater is a playfully gothic mystery story about a Dickensian orphan-comeinvestigator. It’ll keep you out of the rain for a full 55 minutes. Grisly Tales From Tumblewater, Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 Aug (Not 16), 14:00
Presented by one of our comedy acts and featuring their special guests, including:
Joe Lycett, Matthew Crosby from Pappy’s, Jeff Leach, Katherine Ryan, Tom Price, Dan Clark, Kate Copstick and a regular daily message from Angelos Epithemiou.
EPISODE 3 Steve Hall, Holly Walsh, Out of the Blue
EPISODE 4 Joe Lycett (& Other from the Comedy Reserve), Matthew Crosby
RT @abiePB #EdFringe Great Irish Comedy Treble Bill at @ThePleasance. You can see @Phlaimeaux, #PopeBondVillian & @DeadCatBounceIE in a single evening. RT @tiernan douieb Show 8 much fun. And now for the return of The Adventurer’s Club @ ThePleasance !!
FRIDAY 12th AFTER HOURS Pleasance Dome 00:40 TOM STADE, MITCH BENN, ANDREW LAWRENCE, MICK FERRY, SALLY ANNE HAYWARD AMUSED MOOSE COMEDY AWARD SHOWCASE Pleasance Dome 16:00 JOHN LYNN, MATT KIRSHEN, LIAM SPEIRS, SAM GORE, PEARSE JAMES, McNEIL & PAMPHILON, KEIRAN BOYDE ARTHUR SMITH’S PISSED-UP CHAT SHOW Pleasance Dome 21:40 Dr Phil Hammond, Bridget Christie, Totally Tom CHORTLE PRESENTS: FAST FRINGE Pleasance Dome 18:40 CHECK BOARDS FOR DETAILS
NICHOLAS PARSONS’ HAPPY HOUR Pleasance Courtyard 14:30 Pete Firman, Kate Smurthwaite, Movin’ Melvin Brown PLEASANCE BYTES Pleasance Courtyard, 12:00 JULIAN SANDS STORYTELLER’S CLUB Pleasance Courtyard 22:00 Scary Stories: Tom Bell, John-Luke Roberts, Olly The Octopus, with Sarah Bennetto & James Dowdewell THE GREAT BIG SKETCH OFF Pleasance Courtyard 22:00 Noise Next Door, Bad Bread, The Three Englishmen, Boom Jennies, Kieran and the Joes, Zeus’ Pamphlets, Max & Ivan, The Beta Males, The Balconettes, Don’t Trust Salmon, WitTank, Gentlemen Of Leisure, Lady Garden
THE SHOWCASE SHOW Pleasance Courtyard 13:10 Mc – KEITH FARNAN, JOHN ROBINS, BRIDGET CHRISTIE, CAREY MARX, BOB & JIM The Wrestling Pleasance Courtyard, 15 Aug, 23:00 Russell Kane, Patrick Monahan, PAC, Andrew Maxwell, Brendon Burns, Angelos Epithemiou, Adam Riches, Abandoman, Rich Fulcher, Nick Helm, Humphrey Ker, Frisky & Mannish, Jessica Ransom VIVE LE CABARET Pleasance Courtyard 22:30 Des O’Connor, Jeff Leach, East End Cabaret, Edd Muir of Frayed Knot Circus, Hustle, The Kitsch Kats, Mat Ricardo, John Van Der Put & Alexis Terry, Gypsy & Viva - The Vive Showgirls
Please note that all line-ups are subject to change. Check the Box Office for the latest information.
FUNDRAISING FOR THE PLEASANCE You can support us in a number of ways:
1. Adopt a Pleasance cobblestone
2. Become part of “Pleasance History”
3. Simply donate your own amount
Famous for its cobbled courtyards, the Pleasance is the bedrock of great theatre and comedy. You can look after these very foundations by adopting your own pet cobblestone! We promise to provide you with regular updates on how it’s getting along.
We would be delighted if you joined our celebrity alumni on this extraordinary 231-ft long ‘Bayeux’-esque Tapestry’, charting the history of the world according to the Pleasance. You will also receive a very beautiful portrait. All we need is a passport photo! And if you don’t have one immediately, it doesn’t matter, because you can always send it to us later!
TEXT: plez33 to 70070 (for any amount up to £10) BY TELEPHONE: Please call us on 0207 619 6868 ONLINE: Please visit www.pleasance. co.uk/islington/support-us IN PERSON: Complete the Gift Aid form on the back of the Fundraising leaflet and drop it into Reception at any of our box offices in Edinburgh and London, or pop it in the post.