EUSA Shakespeare Company

Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA) is home to the Edinburgh Shakespeare Company. The theatre company and student society holds regular workshops on all aspects of Shakespeare's work and its adaptation. In addition, the company organises and produces a major performance of a Shakespeare play each year in Edinburgh.

About the Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company

The Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company (EUSC) features actors, directors, designers and producers that work together to produce one Shakespeare play each year. In addition to an annual large-scale performance, the theatre company organises workshops every two weeks on stagecraft, theatrical history, adaptation, costume and set design, production and other topics. When selecting productions, the EUSC's committee reviews applications and proposals from teams including a producer, director, stage manager and technical manager. Auditions and calls for production members are subsequently held by the company. Membership is open to all matriculated students at the University of Edinburgh, as well as others who are not matriculated students.

History

The Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company was founded in 2009. The company a student society of the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA). The theatre company is the only society at the university dedicated to performing Shakespeare's work. Past productions of the Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company have included Coriolanus, The Winter's Tale, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Titus Andronicus. The company's production of Macbeth in 2010 also undertook a four-day tour the Scottish Highlands and performed at Cawdor Castle. While performances remain true to Shakespeare's plays, the theatre company often sets plays in contemporary times. For example, the 2013 production of Coriolanus was set in the 1980s.

Venue Information

Performances of the Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company are held at the Pleasance Theatre. The theatre accommodates up to 320 spectators. The all-seating venue features a front-on format and includes access for visitors with disabilities. Smaller theatre spaces are located at the site, including a theatre with 154 seats. The space also includes a bar area and various meeting rooms.

The Pleasance Theatre is one of several venues that serve the Edinburgh University Students' Association. Located within the Pleasance Courtyard, the complex features 14 theatre spaces including auditoriums and courtyards. It is also one of the sites used for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as well as the setting for a variety of theatre, music and dance performances. The theatre is associated with the Pleasance Theatre Islington in London, which opened in 1995.

Location

The Pleasance Theatre is located near Old Town in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is situated on the first floor of The Societies' Centre at Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance. The theatre is north-east of the University of Edinburgh, between the university and Holyrood Park. It is approximately an 8 minute walk from the Royal Mile and a 10 minute walk from Waverley Station. Pleasance Theatre is well served by a number of local bus services from locations throughout Edinburgh. A number of car parks are also located closed to the theatre, including the NCP St. Johns Hill at Viewforth Gardens near Holyrood Road.

Contact Information

For more information about the Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company, email eushakespearecompany@gmail.com or visit the company's website at www.eushakespearecompany.co.uk.

The mailing address for the theatre company is:
Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company
Edinburgh University Students Union
Potterrow
5/2 Bristo Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9AL

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