The Festival Bubble at The Pleasance Opening Gala 2025, Edinburgh
- Michelle's Monologues
- Aug 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 21
For over four decades, the Pleasance has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of countless artists and creatives, both on and off stage, across theatre, comedy, and live performance. Many performers, writers, directors, and creatives who began their journeys at the Pleasance have gone on to shape the arts landscape both in the UK and internationally. This enduring legacy demonstrates the Trust’s dedication to supporting bold ideas and providing a platform where new voices can flourish.
The Edinburgh festival bubble has started. Join the fun at the Pleasance for the next 27 days!
Kicking off the impressive Pleasance launch, with a queer reimagining of classic ballet was Giselle: Remix. With love, loss, revenge, and redemption, this Giselle is a hopeless romantic who comes to realise the brutal reality of queer intimacy is a far cry from Hollywood’s happily-ever-after. It’s Giselle like you’ve never seen it before – Matthew Bourne meets Leigh Bowery.
Hilarious host Thanyia Moore gave a sneak peak into her witty show August. Thanyia Moore was this morning’s amazing host. As seen on Mock the Week, Alma's Not Normal, Celebrity Mastermind, Richard Osman's House of Games, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and more, Thanyia’s show August is about mental strength, the female body, and how awesome the NHS is in Scotland. Her razor-sharp wit, commanding presence, and big personality made us see why she deserves all the great acclaim.
Further incredible acts providing us an exciting preview included the charmingly awkward Toussaint Douglass: Accessible Pigeon Material (as seen on Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC Two), writer for Have I Got News For You (BBC One) and James Acaster’s Springleaf podcast, Toussaint Douglass gave us some joyfully absurd, charmingly awkward stand-up. Catch Toussaint at the Courtyard talking life, love, loss, finding your way, and pigeons in Accessible Pigeon Material), explosively political Blaze FM (Bringing explosive political theatre was acclaimed MC, Jammz, and award-winning writer James Meteyard (Electrolyte) with Blaze FM. Pirate radio station Blaze FM trailblaze fresh music as a voice to the madness outside. In the midst of court orders, redevelopments, shutdowns, and attacks against Black music, the Blaze family fight for their right to exist. Presented by The Big House, this bold new writing weaved Drill, Grime and Jungle tracks for an electrifying performance), and global physical comedy sensation TAPEFACE (Celebrating an incredible 20 years of TAPE FACE, the show returns to where the worldwide journey began. Las Vegas headliner TAPE FACE has become a global sensation, and we were treated to a sneak preview. Physical comedy, mime, and silent stand-up collided in an unforgettable performance that left us you laughing, gasping, and lost for words).
More sensational snippets came from Young Pleasance Company’s breathtaking performance Ghost Light (Marking 30 years of supporting young talent at the Fringe, the superbly multi-talented (The Scotsman) Young Pleasance Company are an integral part of the Pleasance’s programme, and this new show is a gorgeous homage to the spirit of theatre through the ages. Ghost Light is a spine tingling large-scale production from the renowned company, a breathtaking reflection on the legendary ghosts who prowl London’s most haunted playhouse), as well as LSQ Theatre New Comedian winner Sam Nicorestii’s latest glistening stand-up show (LSQ Theatre New Comedian winner and Chortle Awards nominee Sam Nicoresti made sure everyone will be rushing to buy tickets for their show. A glistening new stand-up show about losing your mind, finding it again, and the hunt for the perfect skirt suit. During a stressful house move, burgeoning trans icon Sam Nicoresti felt themselves leave their body. From a comedy night in a care home to the standing stones of Cornwall, this is the story of the journey home).
Closing this wonderful launch, Direct from New York. The wildly entertaining and seductively heartfelt production new musical - World’s Greatest Lover (The show is the new production World’s Greatest Lover asking what is love? This world premiere musical direct from New York sees literature’s most legendary lovers flirt and fight as they hunt for the truth about love. From conniving Casanova to unrequited Romeo, from the clandestine Cyrano de Bergerac to the dangerous Marquis de Sade, these renowned romantics reunite and battle through song. Wildly entertaining and as seductive as it is heartfelt. Directed and choreographed by Broadway’s Joshua Bergasse, Emmy Award winner for NBC’s Smash, now also a new Broadway musical).
Other highlights of the gala included the Pleasance’s Welfare Programme in partnership with Playwell. This ongoing commitment to care and wellbeing makes the Pleasance the first venue at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to establish a dedicated Welfare Department within its festival framework. As well as a spotlight on Pleasance’s commitment to accessibility, with the Pleasance Opening Gala being captioned throughout, BSL interpretation, and new matting in the Courtyard (29 shows across the course of the month will be captioned, plus three shows will be providing integrated captioning and two shows will be providing BSL interpretation as standard).
What performance are you looking forward to seeing this August during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe? To find out more and book tickets, please visit: http://www.pleasance.co.uk/ or call 0131 556 6550 (lines open 10:00 - 17:00 daily).
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