Fifth year of collaboration with Pleasance Theatre
It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for any performer and the Theatre Royal Plymouth is looking for artists who’re looking to take their work to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026.
The TRP team is now in its fifth year of working with the Pleasance Theatre for The Edinburgh National Partnerships Programme.
They’re calling for applications from South West-based artists or companies who’re looking to be part of one of the world’s biggest fringe festival events.
The programme is part of Pleasance’s national initiative which works with theatres across the UK to ‘identify, support and amplify outstanding local artists who are ready to present work at the Fringe, potentially for the first time.’
Theatre Royal Plymouth explains it’s an invaluable opportunity and is aimed at ‘encouraging artists and companies in creating bold, new theatre, and who are looking to take the next step in their journey towards producing and presenting work.’
They add that the scheme particularly supports those who may not yet have had the chance to showcase their work at the Fringe, providing financial backing, mentorship and practical support to make this ambition achievable.
For 2026, applications are invited from artists and companies developing original theatre work that is either at a completed first-draft stage (or further along) and has been written or devised for between one and four performers.
Applicants need to have a connection to Plymouth or the wider South West, and be able to clearly articulate their target audience and how their show will stand out within a busy festival programme.
They should also have a robust fundraising plan that would be strengthened by this partnership.
‘Creating bold, new theatre’
Previous artists and companies that TRP has supported through the partnership include Laura Horton (Breathless), Ben Fensome & Scott Le Crass (Buff), Babs Horton (In The Lady Garden), and last year’s Maybe You Like It (Down To Chance).
From Pleasance Theatre, the selected artist or company will receive guaranteed inclusion in the Pleasance Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme and up to £1,000 towards the costs of presenting the show at the Fringe.
They can also provide PR and marketing support, accessible performance provision and a potential programming opportunity in Pleasance’s London transfer season – following the Fringe and ongoing mentorship, support and advice
From Theatre Royal Plymouth, the winner will receive mentorship and support from its in-house artistic, marketing, communications, technical, producing and production teams.
They can also arrange for rehearsal space at the theatre and a festival preview run at TRP in its more intimate stage, The Lab, next summer.
TRP will also provide funding towards Fringe presentation costs and accommodation, and cover the Edinburgh Festival Fringe registration fee.
Applications close on Monday 12 January 2026 at 5pm. Shortlisting will take place week commencing 12 January 2026, and applicants must be available Wednesday 21 January 2026 for interviews.
Breaktime News recently reported on the Theatre Royal Plymouth team working on a fundraising programme for community projects, including the launch of Young Company – Our Space.
