Monday August 4th 2025
Pleasance Opening Gala 2025
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The Pleasance Theatre Trust’s Opening Gala defines the festival programme, offering a very special preview of some of the most exciting shows staged in Edinburgh this August. Saturday’s launch showed why the venue, which has been supporting bright ideas since 1985, is regarded as one of the most impactful and supportive Fringe venues, showcasing shows from across the Dome, Pleasance Courtyard and EICC.
Opening the show was a dazzling queer reimagining of a classic ballet in 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.
Thanyia Moore was Saturday 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.
Next up, 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.
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.
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 you laughing, gasping, and lost for words.
Marking 30 years of supporting young talent at the Fringe, the multi-talented 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.
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 the show was 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.
Now in its third year, the Pleasance Theatre Trust has continued its dedicated Welfare Programme in partnership with PlayWell, a creative welfare consultancy. This ongoing commitment to care an dwellbeing makes the Pleasance the first venue at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to establish a dedicated Welfare Department within its festival framework. Spearheaded by Lauren Silver – founder of PlayWell and Pleasance’s Head of Welfare, the department will once again support over 800 participants, including artists and volunteers along with the senior management team. This free and comprehensive programme includes counselling clinics, drop-in sessions, social spaces and an evolving directory of resources. The goal of this partnership is to address the ongoing mental health crisis in the sector through a holistic and preventative approach that aims to empower all participants to experience the festival in a safe, supported and sustainable way.
Pleasance also remains committed to accessibility. Claire Hill once again captioned the opening gala again and will do this for 29 shows across the course of the month. Plus three shows will be providing integrated captioning and two shows will be providing BSL interpretation as standard. This year, the Pleasance are working with Part Of The Main on an audio description pilot scheme to make the programme more accessible to visually impaired audiences. This will include audio described shows of Giselle Remix (which we saw today in the Gala), Kanpur 1857, The Unstoppable Rise Of Ben Manager as well as introductory notes for The Comedy Reserve. This is made possible by the generous support of the Garfield Weston Foundation. Mobility have sponsored new matting in the Courtyard to coincide with Abnormally Funny People, a line up show which showcases the best disabled comics at the Fringe. And, Blacklight are supporting the delivery of accessible performances at the Pleasance this year by providing technical infrastructure such as plasma screens and a dedicated spotlight in each venue for the purpose for BSL interpreters.
The Pleasance is also part of Love the Fringe, a membership scheme launched by a group of venues and artists to allow you to see more shows than ever before at the best prices. Membership offers exclusive discounts, free tickets and perks across Edinburgh.
With Pleasance showcasing some of the best shows at this years festival, we will be providing reviews to a wide variety of performances across their Courtyard, the Dome and the EICC.
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