The Pleasance Theatre, at the heart of Edinburgh, is working with partner theatres across the UK to identify exceptional artists and companies who want to take work to the Fringe Festival. Each partner is a leading national producing house committed to supporting and developing new artists. Alongside Sherman Theatre, partners include Theatre Royal Plymouth, Leicester Curve, Chichester Festival Theatre and Lyric Belfast, all supporting outstanding local talent for Edinburgh’s world-renowned festival.
This year’s show, Amnesia, is written and performed by Kimberly Hart-Simpson, and directed by Kate Wasserberg in association with Theatr Clwyd. A ‘warts and all’ celebration of small-town coastal lives affected by dementia, Amnesia shines a light on the community of Rhyl, the difficult realities of dementia, care and the lives of those affected.
Kelly, a dementia carer in Rhyl (and daughter of two Tom Jones tribute acts), is brilliant at her job. Whether it’s Edna, the serial biter, or Astrid who thinks her Nana is a bin, Kelly knows exactly what she’s doing.
Proudly raised on ClubLand, waltzers and summers snogging scousers, she’s furious upon discovering her best friend is leaving for a city with a Pret. Concealing her own life-altering news, she spirals out of control and risks losing everything.
Before they head up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Amnesia will join the Sherman line-up for a limited run, with previews on 16, 17 & 18 July 2026, 8pm.
The Sherman Theatre Edinburgh National Partnership with The Pleasance
Working with a dynamic range of artists from Wales at different stages in their careers, it’s a joy to guide so many incredible creatives and their shows as they make their way to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival each year. As part of this partnership, we’ve seen four previous shows receive well-earned praise and recognition from peers, awards, and audiences, and we can’t wait to see Amnesia join the list.
In 2025, Leila Navabi’s show Relay was a huge triumph, playing to packed houses throughout its run.
Following their successful Edinburgh run in 2024, our Edinburgh National Partnership recipient Polly & Esther took their show to Adelaide Fringe in spring 2025.
StammerMouth, supported by Sherman Theatre in 2023, took CHOO CHOO! (Or… Have You Ever Thought About ****** **** *****? (Cos I Have)) to Edinburgh Fringe and was awarded a Fringe First Award and the 2023 Mental Health Foundation Fringe Award.
In 2022, François Pandolfo’s An Audience With Milly-Liu, was a hit with audiences and critics alike. In association with the Sherman and The Pleasance, and with support from The Other Room, the one-man cat drag show won the inaugural David Johnson Emerging Talent Award.