Pleasance Islington

The Pleasance Islington is a fringe theatre in Islington, London. Opened in 1995, it is run by the Pleasance Theatre Trust. The venue is the sister site of the original Pleasance in Edinburgh. It has become known for hosting rising comedians and established names alike. Popular acts such as Michael McIntyre, Micky Flanagan and Mark Thomas have performed there. The theatre also supports newer talent, including Ginger Johnson, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The theatre plays a key role in London’s comedy scene. Associate Artists work closely with the Pleasance to develop new shows. Linus Karp and Joseph Martin of Awkward Productions became Associates for the 2023–2025 season. Their company produced the hit show Gwyneth Goes Skiing. The Pleasance Islington gives artists space to experiment and grow. Inside, the theatre has a small stage and an intimate atmosphere. The auditorium seats around one hundred people. The space encourages close contact between performers and audiences. The walls display posters of past shows and visiting acts. The building sits among Islington’s cafés and bookshops, making it easy to visit before or after a show.