Taking part in August during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, companies including Theatre Royal Plymouth, Curve, Chichester Festival Theatre, Sherman Theatre and Lyric Belfast, will stage their productions at the Pleasance.
Each partner venue identifies a “standout” production from its region, offering artists a pathway to present their work on an international stage at the Fringe.
The 2026 programme showcases a range of new work spanning documentary theatre, drag musical comedy, political satire, psychological drama and contemporary storytelling.
Among the shows is Meet Mayor Max, a golden retriever who happens to be the mayor of Idyllwild, California. © Supplied
Subjects explored include boy bands and toxic masculinity; life, loss and working-class resilience on the North Wales coast; an exploration of power, privilege, class and survival in late-stage capitalism; what life is like for young people living in Belfast through the lens of Gaelic football; and the true story of a small-town American mayor who “happens to be a golden retriever.”
Jonny Patton, head of Theatre Edinburgh at Pleasance said: “This programme is a snapshot of some of the most exciting theatre being made in the UK right now. It’s fearless, funny and fiercely contemporary. We’re proud to help these artists bring their work to the Fringe.”
Tom Jackson Greaves, associate artistic director of Theatre Royal Plymouth said: “Our ongoing partnership with Pleasance Theatre continues to be an important pathway for artists to showcase work at the Edinburgh Fringe and kickstart or progress their career in the arts.
“Championing these incredibly talented artists from the South West, like Alex, and helping them reach wider audiences is central to our mission, and programmes like the Edinburgh National Partnerships are a crucial way to achieve this.”
The list of shows selected for the programme is as follows:
MEET MAYOR MAX
Alex Robins, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Pleasance
5th Aug – 31st Aug (not 17th)
CAMPITALISM: THREE GAYS TRY TO FIX THE ECONOMY
BOY Theatre, Leicester Curve and Pleasance
5th Aug – 31st Aug (not 17th)
MAN!FEST: THE DRAG BOYBAND MUSICAL
OnTheNose Productions, Chichester Festival Theatre and Pleasance
5th Aug – 31st Aug (not 12th, 17th or 26th)
AMNESIA
Kimberly Hart-Simpson, Queenie Miller (Hat Trick Productions), UA, Sherman, Pleasance
5th Aug – 31st Aug (not 17th)
THE PITCH
Moya Jane Productions, Lyric Belfast and Pleasance
5th Aug – 31st Aug (not 12th, 20th or 29th)
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