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Theatre Uncut are a not-for-profit theatre company, born out of the opposition to the cuts introduced by the UK coalition government in late 2010. We create politically charged theatre that provokes debate, action and most importantly: change. Our unique global theatrical model breaks down boundaries and pushes the limits of what theatre can achieve. Theatre Uncut commission leading and emerging playwrights to respond to current political events and social issues by writing short new plays that challenge and provoke, demanding attention and response. These plays are then made available for anyone to download and perform anywhere, completely for free. Theatre Uncut plays have been read and performed so far by over 6,000 people in 26 countries across 4 continents. This year Theatre Uncut are returning to the Edinburgh Festival with a production of some of the very best from the company’s extraordinary collection of short plays, written over the past 4 years by some of our most exciting and hard-hitting playwrights. The writers are Dennis Kelly (Utopia on Channel 4, Matilda with the RSC), Stef Smith (Olivier Award winner for Roadkill), Clara Brennan (Fringe First & Herald Angel winner for Spine), Kieran Hurley (Scottish CATS award winner for Beats), Vivienne Franzmann (Pests for Royal Court/Clean Break, and George Devine award winner for Mogadishu), and the infamous award-winning US writer Neil LaBute (The Shape of Things, Reasons to be Pretty, Fat Pig, Bash). Performances will take place within Paines Plough’s remarkable pop-up theatre auditorium, Roundabout, hosted at Summerhall. These brilliant plays look at universal issues that have been in the headlines over the past years and are still affecting millions of people every day – the personal experience of democracy, the challenges of political activism, the manipulation of media output and the effect of UK welfare cuts. Each performance will be followed by Theatre Uncut’s signature post-show discussions, giving audiences the chance to respond to issues tackled in the plays. These discussions will be chaired by Hannah and Emma, and will feature a top selection of guest panelists including journalists, campaigners, artists, academics and more. Performance dates: Monday 24th – Sunday 30th August 2015, 10am Performance venue: Paines Plough’s Roundabout @ Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO ENSURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE THESE WONDERFUL PLAYS THE PRODUCTION THEY DESERVE, AND PAY ALL THE ARTISTS INVOLVED A FAIR FEE. Shows at the Edinburgh Fringe are especially difficult to fundraise for, so we rely more than ever on individual support. This production will be a major next step for Theatre Uncut as a company - as it will showcase our work to a new range of potential funders and co-producers for future work - as well as bringing some of our best past work to new audiences.