Tell us about the artist development work carried out by Pleasance Futures. Pleasance Futures is our umbrella term for all the artist development initiatives that we run at Pleasance, acting as an incubator for bold new creatives to make their mark, presenting work at both our home in London and our home in Edinburgh. Our … Continue reading “We hope that all the artists that we work with feel like they complete their journeys with us” | The Pleasance Futures team talks funding the next generation of bold creative artists

What were you hoping to achieve from the first Smiley show? Honestly, all I was hoping was that someone showed up and that I felt confident and calm enough to see everything through! How do you feel the show went? It was such a lovely, cosy evening with very accommodating staff, enthusiastic open mic’ers, fantastic … Continue reading “Hopefully word will get out that it’s a great little night” | Leah Stone reflects on the inaugural Smiley, Chorlton’s all new inclusive open mic night

Tell us about your show, Don’t. Make. Tea. A dark comedy thriller, Don’t. Make. Tea. is a witty ridiculing of the welfare state. Imagine a near future benefits regime as seen through the assessment of Chris, a disabled woman who is forced to claim benefits. With bitingly satirical dialogue and cutting-edge accessible staging interwoven through … Continue reading “There is just so much to mine around how disabled people are treated” | Artistic Director Robert Softley-Gale on the Birds of Paradise dark comedy set in tomorrow’s disability benefit assessment