5 AUGUST
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PEOPLE OF PLEASANCE
A TOAST TO CHARLIE!
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CREDIT: ELLY WHITE
Name: Height: Shoe Size: Position: Hidden Talent: Fringe Rating:
Paul Garner 6ft2 9 1/2 Pleasance Cartoonist Voice impressions Insane
How do you go about designing for Pleasance? It has been a process that has been going on for many years. Every year is adding a bit but sometimes a brainstorm leads to a big, mad idea. These ideas cost lots of money so they can’t happen all the time. This year’s idea was ‘let’s make the front of the dome look special’ because Bristo square has been redeveloped, so it’s a working progress. What is your background in design? Away from the Pleasance I am a general illustrator and designer, so I do all sorts of things. A Jack of All Trades in a way: cartoonist, illustrator, costume designer, character designer, caricaturist, theatre designer; I’ve worked in the film industry and done large murals. Where does the iconic dog image originate? It’s based on the real Pleasance dog, Brooke, a black Labrador. Brooke passed away some years ago and was replaced by Indie. Now they live on in the iconography of the Pleasance. He’s like the Pleasance’s Mickey Mouse, except he doesn’t make as much money. What is your favourite part of your design? I suppose it is the totem pole because it is such a wacky idea. There have been three over 20 years. I don’t know where the idea came from, but this is the third generation, with each one being slightly different. The current pole has a structure that looks like it shouldn’t be able to stand up. What is version 4 going to be? I don’t know!
ISSUE ONE
very year the Charlie Hartill Special Reserve Fund provides support for the finest aspiring theatre-makers and comedians in bringing a show to the Edinburgh Fringe. The fund was set up in memory of Charlie Hartill, a much-loved member of the Pleasance staff, who passed away in 2004. It aims to continue his great work in the support of artists that he provided during his life. Throughout the 14 years of its existence, production companies and comedians have been selected through a heated process, including written and video applications, tryout performances, and interviews. The piece can vary from the early stages of development to more established works, which may yet to have been staged live. Aiding actors and producers with huge artistic ambition, this year’s theatre recipient, Strictly Arts, brings Freeman to the Fringe, a play exploring racism and mental health in the criminal justice system. This powerful new piece tells the story of those who have died as a result of racial oppression and injustice through a blend of physical theatre, dance, spoken word and song. ‘Freeman was a really easy choice this year, everyone loved it!’ says Heather Rose, Associate Producer of the Pleasance. Last year’s recipients, Unpolished Theatre, have returned with their awardwinning production, Flesh and Bone, following a recent run at the Adelaide Fringe. ‘It opened so many doors,’ says writer and director, Elliot Warren. ‘It was amazing. We just finished a run at the SOHO theatre in London, and now we’re back up here, all because of the
PLEASANCE
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ISSUE ONE WELCOME
Charlie Hartill Fund. We can’t thank it enough.’ Alongside the theatre division there is also the Comedy Reserve. Bringing a mixed-bill act to the festival, this year’s comedians are Chloe Petts, Helen Bauer, Jack Gleadow and Michael Odewale. With alumni such as Jack Whitehall, Joe Lycett and Catherine Bohart (to name a few), the fund has become a mark of quality within the industry. A new addition to the Courtyard’s food and drink stalls this year is Charlie’s Wine Bar and Cafe. Charlie himself was a lover of wine and so 11.5% of the proceeds (an appropriate percentage for a glass of vino, don’t you think?), from a specially commissioned wine, will go to the fund to support theatremakers and comedians of the future. Find out more about the fund at www.pleasance.co.uk/charliefund
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5 AUGUST
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CREDIT: ELLY WHITE
S CREDIT: ELLY WHITE
PLEASANCE OPENS WITH DEATH-DEFYING STUNT
Scotsman critic, Kate Copstick, was selected to participate in Cirque Berserk’s death-defying motorcycle stunt for this year’s Opening Gala at the Pleasance. Gracing the stage in a sparkly pink corset, one of the most well-known Fringe reviewers stood inside a metal sphere - at the centre of what some are calling ‘The Globe of Death’ whilst several motorbikes whirred about the cage. The Gala kicked off with an enchanting musical excerpt from Tall Stories’ Wilde Creatures, The Grand was filled with sound as the audience prepared themselves for a whistle stop tour of some of the highlights of this year’s programme. MC, Kiri Pritchard-McLean’s personality
shined as brightly as her sequinned outfit, delivering an energetic set. Entertaining the audience with her quick wit and spontaneous repartee, audience member and USB customer service provider (‘Just stick it in again?’), John, became the designated cheerleader for the duration of the show. Highlights included comedians Catherine Bohart, Felicity Ward, double act The Raymond & Mister Timpkins Revue, and Familie Flöz, who performed a sketch from their show Infinita. The power of Strictly Arts’ Freeman stunned the audience into silence after showcasing extracts from this year’s Charlie Hartill Fund recipient, focusing on links between systemic racism and mental health. The whole Gala was punctuated by a
speech by Pleasance Director, Anthony Alderson, who spoke about the importance of support, family and inspiring young people through creative development and the Arts. The day was rounded off with a sensational Newcomer Comedy Gala. It was an evening filled to the brim with giggles, gags and guffaws, as 10 new faces to the Pleasance hit the stage. MC’d by the enigmatic Tom Lucy, who, at only 22 years old, commanded the stage with a professionalism beyond his years. 2018 promises to be the best year yet, with an array of new and old faces gracing the 32 venues in over 260 shows. Keep up to date with the latest news with the Pleasance Times every Wednesday and Saturday.
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INTERVIEW: FLESH AND BONE ‘W
hat a piece of work is a man?’ After a stint at London’s SOHO theatre, the cast of Flesh and Bone return to the Edinburgh Fringe for another riotous performance of their award-winning play. Written and directed by Elliot Warren and Olivia Brady, Flesh and Bone drags audiences kicking, screaming and wailing with laughter, as they pull back the mask on London’s East End. Following the lives of five working-class characters from a high-rise council estate, Unpolished Theatre’s high-octane romp through inner-city life delivers on an incredibly funny and occasionally moving show. Infusing Shakespearean lyricism with cockney accents and MLE (Multicultural London English), Flesh and Bone snaps seamlessly between farce and drama at such a pace that you’ll be needing a neck brace for an onset of emotional whiplash. ‘We always said we wanted to make a play that made people laugh, cry, be shocked, be angry and happy,’ says Brady, ‘and for them to feel bad for laughing.’ We are sitting in Brooke’s bar at the heart of Pleasance Dome. I decide to mention my figurative crick in the neck. She smirks a little and looks to Warren who is sat beside her. He agrees that it was all about playing on the audience’s emotions. ‘Yeh, definitely. We really wanted to make a play that you couldn’t get to that 60-minute mark and look at your watch and think, “Oo, what are we gunna have for dinner?” or “What show am I gunna see next?” We wanted to make something where you’re strapped into a white-knuckle ride. You sit there for eighty minutes and you’re just thoroughly entertained.’ In one of the opening scenes, Warren’s character Terrence (‘the hardman nutter of the estate’) finds himself embroiled in a slowmotion bar fight after a dispute over small change gets out of hand. At this point, the cockney-Elizabethan lyricism offers up some comedy of its own: ‘I wrapped my hand into a smashing device. His eyes did roll. But nay, it did anger him more.’ Think Shakespeare directed by Guy Ritchie with a sprinkling of Shameless. ‘We’ve always said we’re not massive theatre lovers,’ admits Warren. ‘I was always more inspired by film and the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie and a French film called La Haine, which is one of my favourite films that has that punchy atmosphere. We definitely tried to include Trainspotting and that slammed-in-yer-face, unapologetic kind of film into theatre.’ The Dome is half-empty this morning, but it wouldn’t be difficult to pick out their cockney accents from an Edinburgh crowd. Warren tells me that the ‘Shakespeare stuff was a second thought,’ and that he came to the idea through cockney rhyming slang and bringing MLE into verse. ‘When you hear these gangs
WHAT’S ON Future History: 1968 Cabaret Bar Aug 23rd – 11.00 Two of Russia’s most controversial journalists Mikhail Zygar and Karen Shainyan discuss their latest docuseries, the Russian Government and where it’s heading. HUB Fresh Cabaret Bar 8th 17.15 – 11th 16.00 – 13th 18.40 Join us for a line-up of the best new comedy at the Fringe. Expect sketches, characters, stand-up and everything in-between! ALL FOR FREE! Tartan Ribbon Comedy Benefit The Grand Aug 14th – 20.00 A top night of comedy in support of Waverly Care. Previous line-ups include Michael McIntyre, Russel Howard, Katherine Ryan, plus many more.
on the streets of London nowadays it sounds like poetry almost – the jargon of today’s youth. We give them the most beautiful voice we can and let them fly.’ ‘We’re very aware the picture of the working class is always the gritty kitchen sink drama,’ he says, adding that he thinks ‘EastEnders is bloody depressing.’ Brady rolls her eyes in agreement. ‘Like how many people can be murdered in one estate?’ ‘They even made Danny Dyer depressing, and I love that guy. It’s just everything’s so bleak,’ (I suspect he is hasn’t watched this season’s Love Island but don’t ask). ‘We wanted to bring stuff like The Royale Family. They made light of communities, and they’re rich and colourful characters.’ I ask whether any of their characters are based on real people they knew growing up in and around London. ‘Grandad [played by Nick T Frost] is based on my grandad,’ laughs Warren. ‘But my grandad is not as sleazy as the character. He’s a lovely, lovely gentleman but he’s from East London and he talks in cockney rhyming slang all the time. He wears all gold – gold chains, gold bracelets and rings – but sits in his dressing gown.’ Brady tells me that Jamal, played by Alessandro Babalola in the show, is based on someone who used to live up the road from them. ‘We lived together in Dalston, moved onto an estate, and two doors up from us there was a boy called Jay. We found out he was the drug dealer and he would hang around in dark corners.’ ‘He looked terrifying when we first got there.’ ‘Big guy, hood, A black BMW would always pull outside of our house and he was doing deals.’
‘We were like, right, this guy is someone to watch out for.’ ‘He was standing there with all his mates, looking all hard outside his house. Then all of a sudden, the top window opened, and a woman leant out the window and went, “Get in and clean your bloody room!” And his was like, “Yeh, err – sorry Mum, sorry!” He was fifteen and he’s just like this little kid.’ ‘It’s just these parts people have to play if they want to survive on their estate and look the part, with their war paint and their armour.’ Skinheaded, with sharp features and streak of geezer about him, I couldn’t help but wonder if Radio 4 theatre-types would ever have boxed off Warren in a similar way. ‘The masks that people wear every day,’ Brady scrunches her face, ‘they put them on, but the public puts them on them too.’ Challenging perceptions and subverting expectations, Unpolished Theatre will have you creasing through some tough issues, touching on social housing, lack of education and class prejudice. Whilst Flesh and Bone speaks loud and clear to the Grenfell Era, they say it was never their intention to get political. ‘We never shove messages down people’s throats. If you come to the show and have had a few beers, then you might just laugh your head off for an hour and half. Or you might come and take a message from it.’ So what a piece of work is man? Well, that make take some doing. Instead, grab yourself a ticket and go see what a cracking piece of theatre Flesh and Blood is. You won’t be disappointed. Flesh and Bone 22:00, Aug 4-8, 11 Dome, King Dome Photo Credit: Unpolished Theatre, Eastlake Prod.
Amusical The Grand Aug 22nd – 23,30 For one night only. Watch your favourite comedians almost certainly getting horribly drunk as they cope with the nerves of singing musicals accompanied by a live band. Comedy Reserve JackDome Aug 1st - 27th (not 13th & 20th) Back for its 14th year with four brilliant new acts, hand-picked by Pleasance and supported by the same programme that brought you Jack Whitehall, Roisin Conaty, Joe Lycett, and 50 others!
SNAPSHOT!
HOROSCOPE Hi, I’m Bruce Foresight, Pleasance’s resident medium with a knack for the preternatural. The stars have aligned, the Moon is in orbit and Mars is converging on the south horizon. The cosmic signs are telling me that this year is going to be astronomical, with unexpected arrivals along the way… Aries — March 21-April 19 The rain will fall on the hills of Edinburgh but the wet weather will not dampen your spirits. The climate will feature heavily in your day and A Clown Show About Rain will keep your psyche in check. (13:40, Pleasance Dome, Aug 1-12, 14-19, 21-27) Taurus — April 20-May 20 The planetary alignment and strange lights in the night sky will lead you to ask questions. Lights Over Tesco Car Park will bring resolution and leave a lasting positive aura. (10:50, Pleasance Dome, Aug 1-14, 16-21, 23-27) Gemini — May 21-June 20 This is the perfect day to immerse yourself in entertainment. Laughter at the surreal will bring harmony to your being with the help of Enter the Dragons. (16:10, Pleasance Dome, Aug 1-12, 14-27) Cancer — June 21-July 22 Embrace the unknown and do not give into fears that you have about the future. Acting on impulse will get you far and the Best of Edinburgh Showcase Show will bring the variety you seek. (13:20, Aug 2-17, 19-26, Pleasance Courtyard Cabaret Bar) Leo — July 23-Aug 22 The stars show trouble in your path. You must keep vigilant and try to allay all worries to prevent Woyzeck like paranoia. (15:00, Pleasance Dome, Aug 1-12, 14-22, 24-27)
Virgo — Aug 23-Sep 22 Jupiter is in alignment with Venus. This will take you on The Journey of your life but be wary of toxic relationships. (17:40, Pleasance Dome, Aug 1-2, 4-27) Libra — Sep 23-Oct 22 Overthinking is your main weakness, acting on impulse will see you thoroughly rewarded. New friends will guide the way and a surprise encounter will Propell(er) you to a positive path. (13:00, Pleasance Courtyard Above, Aug 1-12, 14-20, 22-27) Scorpio — Oct 23-Nov 21 Tragedy is on your horizon. Be particularly wary of the power given to you and do not rush to any snap decisions. Trump Lear will aid the settlement of insanity. (11:40, Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker One, Aug 1-13, 1527) Sagittarius — Nov 22-Dec 21 You will happen upon something extraordinary that will allow you to engage with your wilder side. A rush of excitement brings great joy with Cirque Beserk! (13:30, 18:00, Pleasance at EICC, Aug 3-21, 23-26) Capricorn — Sep 22-Jan 19 Nature will bring you great happiness. Animals will cross your path and The Bear will take you on a magical adventure. (12:00, Pleasance Courtyard Beyond, Aug1-19, 2127) Aquarius — Jan 20-Feb 18 Conflict is brewing. Try not to get to caught up in unnecessary struggles and listen to the inner voice that is telling you to remain In Loyal Company. (13:00 Pleasance Courtyard Beside, Aug 1-5, 8-27) Pisces — Feb 29-Mar 20 Your mind and creative instincts are in agreement. Finding yourself in the right place at the right time will allow music to inspire you with melodic Songlines. (15:15, Pleasance Courtyard Beneath, Aug 1-12, 1426)
#OverheardAtPleasance Phone Call about Mr. Swallow: Is the elephant ok? I’ve travelled all the way from Fife to deliver these boxes of Smarties. Use the hashtag to be featured in Issue 2!