The 2023 Charlie Hartill winners have been announced by the Pleasance Theatre Trust.
Established in 2004 in memory of writer and performer Charlie Hartill, the fund seeks to support marginalised theatre makers and comedians across the UK by removing financial risks in order to allow creativity to take centre stage.
Typically, four opportunities are available—one for emerging comedians, one for emerging theatre companies, and two for UK-based Black, Asian, and Global Majority-led theatre shows.
For 2023, however, a direct £50,000 investment will go towards supporting an unprecedented six shows, due to the “overwhelming quality of talent presented”.
The first show awarded funding is Public – The Musical, a pop/rock show that follows four strangers who find themselves trapped together in a gender neutral public toilet, exploring stories of identity, connection, and compassion.
Also receiving funding is Pitch by November Theatre, which explores the relationship between football and the queer community.
The Thelmas, an award-winning female-led theatre company, have also been recognised for Santi & Naz. The show explores queer love, identity and loyalty against the backdrop of the partition of India.
The award-winning Unforgettable Girl, created by Elisabeth Gunawan, rounds off the catalogue. It explores how society inflicts violence upon bodies of colour, with a mail order bride at its centre.
Eight new comedy acts have also been selected and will be performing during the Pleasance Comedy Reserve, which makes its seventeenth appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. The show helped launch the careers of well established comedians such as Joe Lycett.
The 2023 lineup features Abby Wambaugh, Ele McKenzie, Jun Hao Li, Kyrah Gray, Micah Hall, Shalaka Kurup, Wlad Ilich and Will Robbins.
Tickets for all shows are available on Pleasance’s website.
Words by Aisha Sembhi
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