1) Tim FitzHigham Charlie Hartill and His Letter to the Bank.2) Simon Amstell Grandpa’s Party.3) Miranda Hart Eavesdropping and Parents.4) Ross Noble Handshake.5) David Baddiel Heckles and Fame.6) David O’Doherty Life.7) Frank Skinner Observational Comedy.8) Ed Byrne Blokes.9) Jason Manford Call Centres.10) Janey Godley Married and 52.11) John Bishop Teenagers.12) Richard Herring Potatoes.13) Graham Norton Cows.14) Mackenzie Crook Mr Bagshaw.15) John Shuttleworth Can’t Go Back to Savoury Now.

16) Mark Watson Children.17) Evelyn Mok Let Me Introduce Myself.18) John Hegley Armadillo.19) Danny Bhoy Noah’s Ark.20) Andre Vincent Patron Saints.21) Terry Alderton Would Ya?22) David Elms Phonetic Love.23) Lou Sanders Embarrassment.24) Adam Riches Mastermind.25) Pappy’s Gloves.26) Chris Turner The British.27) Brett Goldstein Misogyny.28) Doc Brown Everybody’s Racist.29) Tony Law Space.30) Boothby Graffoe Alphabet Song.

• TRACKLIST •

The Pleasance was founded in Edinburgh in 1985 to present, support and develop the very best talent at the world’s largest international Arts Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 1995, in order to continue developing the work it was supporting on the Fringe, the Pleasance built two theatres in Islington, North London.

As a registered charity in England, Wales and Scotland, The Pleasance Theatre Trust has created a powerful platform from which we can discover, nurture and support the best new talent from around the world. Promoters, theatre and festival managers from throughout the UK and around the world come to the Pleasance looking for productions.

The Pleasance receives no public subsidy and all revenue generated is reinvested back into future festivals and the London development programme.

The Pleasance has a spirit of artistic possibility, of youthful enterprise (whatever your age), of good humour and of celebration. The Pleasance embraces new ideas and invention.

With 26 performing spaces in Edinburgh and London, ranging from 50 – 750 seats, the Pleasance has been able to present artists at the pinnacle of their careers alongside those just beginning.

“I was 18 when I first came to the Pleasance, they gave me a break through the Charlie Comedy Reserve. Without the Pleasance finding ways to bring

new talent to the Fringe, the festival wouldn’t be quite the same.”

JACK WHITEHALL

• THE PLEASANCE THEATRE TRUST •

Probably the most famous venue in Edinburgh, for many the Pleasance Courtyard is the very heart of the Fringe and few people leave the city without at least one visit, whether it be for theatre, comedy, children’s shows, or simply to take in the irresistible atmosphere. Surrounding the famous cobbled squares and overlooking the picturesque Arthur’s Seat, the Courtyard houses 17 performance spaces, 6 bars and 3 cafés. Open from 10am until late into the night, it is one of the only venues to offer the true festival day out. On any given day visitors are likely to be brushing shoulders with a mix of journalists, broadcasters, up-and-coming performers and world-famous stars, whilst they consider seeing one of the 200 shows that may take place each day.

• THE PLEASANCE COURTYARD •

The Pleasance Dome opened in 2000 and since that time it has inspired the arrival and growth of other venues in Bristo Square. This is now the central hub of the entire Festival. The Dome’s 5 performance spaces surround a central atrium and palm court. As evening falls the space is transformed into one of the festival’s busiest nightspots, with live shows, music, food and drink keeping the crowds buzzing until 5am.

The Dome is also home to the infamous Brooke’s Club, the original VIP bar of the festival. Performers, press and industry professionals share the exclusive membership, with the stars of tomorrow doing deals over a beer and game of pool.

• THE PLEASANCE DOME •

To build on their great success, and ensure that they can continue to support, encourage and develop the work and skills of even more young people, the Pleasance continues to invest.

In 2010 the Pleasance opened a creative workspace next door to the theatre to develop the work of the local community in Islington and Edinburgh, the Fringe, London and regional theatre, and the arts industry nationwide.

• BE INSPIRED... •

Artist’s impression of Pleasance Islington

Established in 2004 in memory of Charlie Hartill, this designated fund created by the Pleasance provides complete financial support to artists and companies wishing to perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

11 years on, this fund has directly supported 10 theatre companies including PIT and Invertigo alongside 44 new comedians, including Jack Whitehall, BAFTA winner Daniel Rigby, 2014 Comedy Award winner John Kearns, Daniel Simonsen and Holly Walsh.

Since it started, this fund has provided over £115,000 worth of subsidy for both productions and individual artists.

• CHARLIE HARTILL SPECIAL RESERVE •

Right at the very heart of the Trust is our award winning theatre company The Young Pleasance.

Founded in 1995 dedicated to offering dynamic, excellent and inclusive theatrical opportunities to young people up to the age of 21. It is based at the Pleasance Islington where the company regularly performs, together with an annual production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Children from the local community and throughout London, participate in and experience theatre-making of the highest professional standards through workshops, projects and large-scale productions.

Young Pleasance annually sponsors young people, who otherwise would be unable to take part, to rehearse and perform in Edinburgh.

“Young Pleasance is extraordinary”BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

• YOUNG PLEASANCE •

1985• The Bodgers : Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee

1986• Nola Rae MBE & John Mowat

1987• Mark Steel

• Mervyn Stutter

1988• Miles and Millner

• Jo Brand

1989• The Reduced Shakespeare

Company• Arthur Smith & Caroline

Quentin (The Live Bedshow): Edinburgh Comedy Award

Best Comedy Show Nominee• Cambridge Footlights

1990• Theatre de Complicite

• Steve Coogan & Frank Skinner

1991• Paines Plough :

“The lifeblood of the UK’s theatre ecosystem” THE

GUARDIAN• Dillie Keane

1992• Dum Show: Coogan, Herring,

Lee, Marber & Munnery

1993• Al Murray • Harry Hill

• Jenny Éclair

1994• Graham Norton

• Sean Lock & Bill Bailey

1995• Dylan Moran

• Tim Vine

1996• Armstrong & Miller :

Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Comedy Show Nominee• The League of Gentlemen :

Winner of the Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show

1997• Alistair McGowan • Mitchell & Webb

• Hoipolloi

1998• David Baddiel • Jason Byrne• Paul Merton

• Peter Kay• English Shakespeare Company 1999

• The Mighty Boosh• Omid Djalili

• Rich Hall• The Steven Berkoff Company

2000• Brendon Burns• Andy Parsons

• Mackenzie Crook • Puppetry of the Penis

2001• Dead Ringers

• Adam Hills • Ross Noble

• Dara Ó Briain• Joan Rivers

• Kneehigh Theatre

2002

2003• John Bishop

• Michael McIntyre• Jimmy Carr

• Reginald D Hunter

2004• Russell Howard

• Tim Key

2005• Jason Manford

• Rhod Gilbert : Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Nominee

• We Are Klang

• Miranda Hart • Alan Carr

2006• Russell Kane

• Simon Amstell

2007• Les Enfants Terribles (The Terrible Infants) :

“Captivating” THE STAGE• NIE :

“The exceptional ensemble combines exquisite, highly

physical acting and wonderfully integrated live music...”THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

2008• Tim Minchin

• Stefan Golaszewski Speaks About The Girl He Once Loved :

Fringe First Winner

2009• Kevin Bridges :

Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Nominee

• Gecko Theatre (The Overcoat)

2010• Bo Burnham

• National Theatre of Scotland (Beautiful Burnout) :

“All of the ingredients of a knock-out hit”

HHHH THE INDEPENDENT• Greg Davis

2011• Julian Sands, directed by

John Malkovich (A Celebration of Harold Pinter) :

• Steven Berkoff (Oedipus) : “The bravest, most exciting and moving Greek tragedy in years”

HHHH SUNDAY TIMES

2012

2014

• The Boy With Tape on His Face • The Two Worlds of Charlie F

• Miriam Margolyes

Pleasance celebrates 30 years on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

2013• BLAM :

HHHHH EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS, THE SCOTSMAN,

THE INDEPENDENT, THE LIST, BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

• SOME PLEASANCE HIGHLIGHTS •

In the last 30 years, the Pleasance has hosted the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award (formerly the Perrier Award) 16 times and hosted over 50 Fringe First winning plays.

From our award nominations in 2014, Pleasance’s winners included:

Stage Award ● Awards for Acting Excellence Winner ● Pat Moylan Production ● Beowulf: The Blockbuster

Total Theatre ● Shows by an Emerging Company/Artist Winner ● Touretteshero ● Backstage in Biscuit Land

The Musical Theatre Network Awards 2014 ● Bucket Club/Farnham Maltings/Pleasance Theatre/Colchester Arts Centre/Escalator East to Edinburgh ● Lorraine & Alan

Fringe First ● Unbound Productions ● Travesti

NSDF Emerging Artist Award ● Lost Watch ● KATE

Comedy Award Best Newcomer ● Alex Edelman

• AWARDS •

The Pleasance has been presenting the very best comedy and theatre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the past 30 years. Comedy Legends is a selection of just some of the comedians who have joined us for the festival over the years.

This album is released in order to raise money for the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Special Reserve, a fund that over the past 10 years has supported the best new comedy and theatre at the Festival. We hope you enjoy it!

DirectorAnthony Alderson General ManagerHamish Morrow

Pleasance Theatre Trust is a registered charity in England, Wales and Scotland. Charity Numbers 1050944 and SC043237.

Anthony Alderson Director/CEO 2005 - Current Christopher Richardson Founder & Director 1985 - 2005

Board of Trustees

Rowan Atkinson Chairman 1995 - 2000Jeremy Lucas Chairman CurrentAndrew LeighDavid JohnsonRichard House Chairman of Pleasance FuturesPiers TordayJohn Faulkner Secretary

Young PleasanceTim Norton DirectorKathryn Norton-Smith Director

• THANKS FOR READING •

Produced by: Al Lorraine, Richard Melvin, Dabster Productions.Lizzie Haws and Ryan Taylor, Pleasance Theatre Trust.

Editing and Mastering: Al Lorraine, Dabster Productions.

Design: Sam Smith, Pleasance Theatre Trust.

Hello to: Jason Isaacs.

With heartfelt thanks to all contributors, audiences and passers by who have made the Edinburgh Festival Fringe a joy for the last thirty years.

www.pleasance.co.uk

Tim FitzHigham - Charlie Hartill and His Letter to the Bank. Courtesy of Mr FitzHigham and PBJ Management. In loving memory of Mr Hartill.

Simon Amstell - Grandpa’s Party. Courtesy of Mr Amstell and KBJ Management.

Miranda Hart - Eavesdropping and Parents. Courtesy of Ms Hart and Troika Talent.

Ross Noble - Handshake. Courtesy of Mr Noble and PBJ Management.

David Baddiel - Heckles and Fame. Courtesy of Mr Baddiel and Avalon Management.

David O’Doherty - Life. Courtesy of Mr O‘Doherty and Mr P Bardon.

Frank Skinner - Observational Comedy. Courtesy of Mr Skinner and Avalon Management.

Ed Byrne - Blokes. Courtesy of Mr Byrne and Vivienne Smith Management.

Jason Manford - Call Centres. Courtesy of Mr Manford and Lisa Thomas Management.

Janey Godley - Married and 52. Courtesy of Ms Godley.

John Bishop - Teenagers. Courtesy of Mr Bishop and Lisa Thomas Management.

Richard Herring - Potatoes. Courtesy of Mr Herring and Avalon Management.

Graham Norton - Cows. Courtesy of Mr Norton and Troika Talent.

Mackenzie Crook - Mr Bagshaw. Courtesy of Mr Crook and Lisa Thomas Management.

John Shuttleworth - Can’t Go Back to Savoury Now. Courtesy of Mr Fellows.

Mark Watson - Children. Courtesy of Mr Watson and Christian Knowles Productions.

Evelyn Mok - Let Me Introduce Myself - Courtesy of Ms Mok and UTC Artist Management.

John Hegley - Armadillo. Courtesy of Mr Hegley and Dave Greenfield.

Danny Bhoy - Noah’s Ark. Courtesy of Mr Bhoy and Lisa Thomas Management.

Andre Vincent - Patron Saints. Courtesy of Mr Vincent and Tim Payne.

Terry Alderton - Would Ya? Courtesy of Mr Alderton and Tim Payne.

David Elms - Phonetic Love. Courtesy of Mr Elms and James Grant Group.

Lou Sanders - Embarrassment. Courtesy of Ms Sanders.

Adam Riches - Mastermind. Courtesy of Mr Riches, featuring Cariad Lloyd and Jim Johnson with kind permission.

Pappy’s - Gloves. Courtesy of Mr Crosby, Mr Clark & Mr Parry and Lisa Thomas Management.

Chris Turner - The British. Courtesy of Mr Turner.

Brett Goldstein - Misogyny. Courtesy of Mr Goldstein and Dawn Sedgwick Management.

Doc Brown - Everybody’s Racist. Courtesy of Mr Brown and United Agents.

Tony Law - Space. Courtesy of Mr Law and DAA Management.

Boothby Graffoe - Alphabet Song. Courtesy of Mr Graffoe and Makin Projects.

• CREDITS •