The Fund was established in 2004 in memory of Charlie Hartill, who died in January of that year. Charlie was a wit, writer, performer, ex-President of The Cambridge Footlights, 8 years a director of the Festival Fringe and the Pleasance's man of the computer.

The Charlie Hartill Special Reserve is a designated fund to support emerging theatre makers and comedians in bringing their work to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Now in its 15th year, the reserve enables artists to hone their talents and focus on their creativity, by offering vital support in the form of cash investment and mentorship. The fund was established in 2004 in memory of Charlie Hartill and consists of two strands - the Theatre Reserve and Comedy Reserve.

Comedy Reserve

Over the past decade, the Comedy Reserve has supported a great number of comics by providing a unique platform at the Fringe, acting as a launch pad for some of the best acts on the circuit today. After a series of tryouts at Pleasance, four of the best up and coming comics are chosen to perform in a nightly show at Pleasance, Edinburgh Fringe, without any financial risk.

The fund offers:

- A prime programming slot at Pleasance Edinburgh without financial risk

- Accomodation

- Paid subsistence

- PR and Marketing Support

- In kind support including (but not limited to); mentoring from the Pleasance Comedy team; rehearsal space, sharing & Work Space at our London theatre; additional marketing presence as part of our Pleasance Comedy marketing and advertising campaigns

To be eligable for our Comedy Reserve you must:

- Be an ‘up and coming’ comic

- Attend a series of tryouts at Pleasance Islington

- Be able to attend Edinburgh Fringe for the duration of the festival