Global Majority Theatre

If selected, we provide up to £5,000 financing towards each UK-based Black, Asian and Global Majority-led production, which includes the following:

• A guaranteed slot in our Edinburgh programme (with no financial risk) at Pleasance and programming option in our London transfer run.
• Assistance with accommodation and Travel
• Edinburgh Fringe Registration and brochure fees
• PR and marketing support
• Mentorship from Pleasance and Partners, including Methuen Drama (Bloomsbury Publishing)
• Support to develop and deliver accessible performances (including the provision of captioned performances)

As this strand is targeted at providing onward touring to the Fringe for existing and/or tour ready shows, the financing is lower than the Theatre Ensemble strand, and targeted specifically at the costs associated with bringing work to the Fringe (and does not include significant contributions towards making costs).

• Must be based in the United Kingdom
• At least 50% of the lead creators (which could include the Writer, Director, Producer, Designers or makers/devising ensemble) must identify as Black, Asian or Global Majority Artists
• At least 50% of the cast must identify as Global Majority Artists
• Propose an existing theatre production to present at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The show must be tour ready, with a minimum of two public performances staged by the end of March. We hope to encourage the best work created and presented over the last year to come to Edinburgh Fringe. We are not looking for new, unstaged work.
• The show must be an Edinburgh Festival Fringe premiere.
• Due to the limitations of our available funding, and to encourage sustainable producing and fair pay, we do not anticipate the cast size for any selected production to exceed 5. This is not a restriction, but shows with larger casts will need to demonstrate additional confirmed or planned fundraising to ensure everyone is paid fairly.
• Be able to attend the Selection Interview for 45 minutes with the Pleasance panel in February on Zoom.

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions for 2025 will open in December 2024. You can keep up to date by following our Artist Development X account or signing up to our artist newsletter.

FOR REFERENCE ONLY

Please see the relevant application packs below.

"Without the Pleasance, going up to Edinburgh Fringe would have been a pipe dream for us. The team supported and guided throughout the way through the highlights and challenges that face Artists of Colour. This experience has given us invaluable learnings and is an important milestone towards putting meon the map as an exciting artist that makes excellent innovative theatre." "Without the Pleasance, going up to Edinburgh Fringe would have been a pipe dream for us. The team supported and guided throughout the way through the highlights and challenges that face Artists of Colour. This experience has given us invaluable learnings and is an important milestone towards putting meon the map as an exciting artist that makes excellent innovative theatre." Elizabeth Gunawan, 2023

"The Thelmas feel that without the Charlie Fund, we would not have been able to take Santi & Naz to the fringe. The financial element ensured that we were able to commit to making the production the best it could be without having our attention focused on fundraising. The on the ground support and pastoral care provided by Nic, Ellie and the wider Pleasance team was invaluable in handling everything the festival threw at us. It was important to us that Santi & Naz reached the people it is about and that members of the Indian diaspora were able to witness their own history on stage at the world's largest arts festival. Because of the Charlie Fund we were able to reach a diverse group of audiences, including South Asian people of all ages and backgrounds. We're immensely proud of what we achieved and very grateful for the opportunity to tell this often untold story." The Thelmas, 2023