Theatre Royal Plymouth backs local artist in Edinburgh Fringe debut
For the fifth year running, Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is partnering with Pleasance Theatre to enable an upcoming, local artist to debut work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Following a call out for applicants at the beginning of the year, Alex Robins was selected as the beneficiary of this year’s collaboration, which is part of the Edinburgh National Partnerships programme, and will see him take his new production, Meet Mayor Max, to Fringe this summer following previews at TRP in July.
The national initiative works with producing houses across the UK and Northern Ireland to champion outstanding regional theatre and provides vital support to develop, present and platform bold, high-quality work at the world’s largest arts festival.
Alex, an Exeter-based artist, has a long-standing relationship with TRP, spanning 10 years through the Creative Communities department as a practitioner, and subsequently being supported to develop as a theatre maker through a variety of TRP’s Artist Development programmes. Joining Alex, Plymouth-based artist Jon Nash will be directing the piece, who also has an established relationship with TRP as a local artist.
Meet Mayor Max is an eccentric documentary-theatre show that charts the impossible-to-believe, but true, rise to office of golden retriever, Max, who becomes Mayor of a small town in California. Selected for its originality and potential to connect with audiences on a national stage, the production tells the story of the unlikely underdog who becomes a symbol of community, healing and unconditional love.
Meet Mayor Max will have a preview run in The Lab at TRP 15 – 17 July before playing in Edinburgh at the Cellar theatre in Pleasance Courtyard from 05 – 31 August 2026.
Tom Jackson Greaves, Associate Artistic Director said: “Our ongoing partnership with Pleasance Theatre continues to be an important pathway for artists to showcase work at the Edinburgh Fringe and kickstart or progress their career on a global stage.
“Championing Alex, amongst other incredibly talented artists from the South West, is central to our mission to create, make, build and present world class theatre, and collaborations with programmes like the Edinburgh National Partnerships area crucial way to achieve this.”
Tickets for Meet Mayor Max’s Plymouth and Edinburgh run are on sale now from:
