Pleasance Theatre Announces Spring Season 2013

The Pleasance Theatre Trust London presents the 2013 Spring Season. The coming months deliver what's being described as "an assortment of inspired collaborations, new writing, a glitzy sketch comedy extravaganza, a bizarre and enduring charity gig, as well as fresh work-in-progress shows from new and established comics alike."

Presenting work-in-progress shows are the ingenious Adam Hills (Hills has the talent and the imagination to keep going all night - The Times); critically acclaimed Tom Craine (Wise, funny, lyrical - The Observer); and newcomer Adam Drake, No One Man, No Cry (A one man comedy).

Reliving successes oftheir sell-out2012 Edinburghshows are Jim Campbell: Nine-Year-Old Man (exquisitely written punch line-driven material without cliché - Steve Bennett, Chortle) and Jay Foreman's Mixtape.

Pleasance London is delighted to launch a new monthly residency, Adam Kay and Enemies hosted by Amateur Transplants front man Adam Kay (this made me very, very happy - Stephen Fry), complete withuniquely depraved pop music re-imaginings and special guests.

The Pleasance also welcomes skit-heavy spectacular The Joy of Sketch which includes British Comedy Award winners and two time Broadcast Award winners 2013, Cardinal Burns(E4), notorious improv duo The Pajama Men (dizzyingly smart, endlessly creative - Telegraph) plus from BBC Three's Live at the Electric, sketch favourites Jigsaw.

To mark the 25th Anniversary of Red Nose Day, The Pleasance will be supporting Mark Watson as he attempts another legendary endurance show: Mark Watson'S 25 HOUR INTERACTIVE COMEDY FUNDRAISING EXTRAVAGANZA FOR RED NOSE DAY - one hour dedicated to each of Red Nose Day's 25 years. Fellow comedians and celebrity guests are expected to drop in with the bulk being improvised by Watson, who will only leave the stage for toilet breaks. 100% of the money raised by tickets and fundraising during the event will go to Comic Relief.

An exciting array of new writing at Pleasance London begins with debut performance of Don't You Know Who I am? written and performed by broadcaster Yasmeen Khan (Radio 4) and lead-singer of chart-topping band The Hoosiers Irwin Sparkes. This unique collaboration draws on their collective experiences to pose the question: in the fame game who really has the power, the star or the fans?

Following their hugely successful November show, Little Bear are back reviving farcical theatre in the achingly funny scratch night, Laugh Your Farce Off (a sumptuously dark comedy that will leave you feeling gratified and just a little bit naughty - Spoonfed) hosted by irrepressible comedy duo Robin & Partridge. Comedy satire Coalition (engaging, informed and delightfully witty - Three Weeks)also returns to Pleasance London after a sensationally successful run last August at Pleasance Edinburgh. Written by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky, Coalition boasts myriad talent including: Thom Tuck (Fosters Edinburgh Best Newcomer Award Nominee 2011), Phill Jupitus (Never Mind the Buzzcocks) and Jo Caulfield (Have I Got News For You).

Edinburgh 2013 preparations have begun for inspired theatre company Les Enfants Terrible with the 2013 Les Enfants Terribles Award (Razor sharp theatre group - The Telegraph). The evening sees 10 emerging companies showcase their work in a bid to gain a prime slot at Pleasance Edinburgh at this year's fringe festival.

Heavily anticipated is Philip Ridley's shocking play Vincent River ([Philip Ridley's] writing is amongst the very sharpest in British theatre - Time Out). Produced by Restock Theatre company (socially relevant and engaging Contemporary Theatre - Restock Theatre), this candid look atself-deception's power to destroy is sure to provoke audiences.

More Articles by This Author...