After a spectacular 2019, it’s time to look ahead to 2020; as we start a new decade, where resolutions will no doubt be broken in minutes, Pleasance have a fantastic theatre offering presenting a snapshot of the social and cultural world of the moment. This dynamic season presents ten important shows across two of Pleasance’s Islington spaces.
With world premieres from debut female writers including Julie Tsang, Polly Creed and Vicky Moran, the season also highlights new work by some of the UK’s most distinctive companies including Silent Faces, Silent Uproar, Pipeline and Ransack Theatre. Pleasance’s programming always champions the importance of diversity and are delighted to work with Yellow Earth for the first time on FIX, as well as transfer Ty and Ky’s The Wright Brothers after a sell-out run at The Albany. It also features Pleasance London Associates Silent Faces (an integrated disabled and non-disabled company), with 70% of shows in the season led by women or non-binary people as either writer or director.
Supported by The Cockayne Foundation, the season explores a range of forms and medium to investigate pressing issues of the day. All of the shows shine a light on important social and political issues whether environmental activism, the rise of homelessness, identity, the exclusion of women and the non-binary community, and mental health.
Anthony Alderson, Director of Pleasance Theatre Trust, comments, The seeds of many of today’s issues can be found in the past and a number of this season’s shows explore how they manifest in the present. It’s important to look back, but also to the future and what is to come. Exploring the intersection between social and personal politics, our opening 2020 season tackles important issues head on, showing that theatre isn’t afraid to speak out.
Nic Connaughton, Head of Theatre for Pleasance Theatre Trust says, Pleasance’s New Work 2020 Season continues to highlight and support incredible artists and companies with important things to say. We are delighted to be presenting six world premieres (including three from debut playwrights), and work by makers not only from London, but from Cornwall, York, Manchester, Hull, and Scotland. Opportunities for New Work to find a London home, especially work by emerging and early career artists, is increasingly rare and this season is a statement of our commitment to discover and nurture the most dynamic and interesting new voices across the country.
