Big Laugh Comedy Festival presents The Specialists

'The World’s Most Musically Challenged String Trio'

Pluck is the comedy string trio that is astounding audiences all over the world. Since their inauguration at the end of 2002, the group has compiled an amazing list of achievements. Not only have they devised two comedy theatre shows which have played to sold out crowds in three continents, they are also consummate corporate entertainers, expert street performers, and have a cabaret show that is a guaranteed hit at weddings and parties. Never before has a string trio been as versatile, as entertaining, as 'Gloriously funny' (The Scotsman).

After an inaugural performance at the world famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Bar in London, they took a show to the Edinburgh Fringe 2003. Pluck stormed the festival, selling out two weeks of shows, and winning the prestigious Tap Water Award. At the Edinburgh Fringe 2004, Pluck received the 'Spirit of the Fringe' award, and again enjoyed a sell out run.

Pluck was formed by violinist Adrian Garratt in 2002 when he got together with violist Jon Regan and cellist Sian Kadifachi. All three performers are trained classical musicians. Although they met in conventional music circles, they share an unusual desire to do more than just play the instruments that they’ve spent so long learning and perfecting. As Pluck, they are taking their classical skills into cabaret, comedy and theatre with some incredible results.

Pluck have performed at four Edinburgh Fringe Festivals (2002-2005), been the ‘undeniable hit’ of the Adelaide Fringe 2004, stunned an audience of 8000 in a football stadium, played the Glastonbury Festival in white tie, tails and Wellington boots, tangoed with patients in hospitals, entertained children in schools, won 4 international awards and interviewed the President of Slovenia in a boxing ring.

The director of The Specialist is Cal McCrystal, one of the hottest comedy directors in the world with Edinburgh hits such as Spymonkey’s Cooped and Stiff and shows with The Boosh, Peepolykus and Kate Dimbleby to his name. He is comedy director for two Cirque de Soleil shows, Zumanity in Las Vegas and Varekai on tour in the US. He has recently turned his hand to reinventing classic plays such as Loot and Kafka’s Dick, both of which sold out at Derby Playhouse. At the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe he is also directing The Bubonic Play, Pluck and Gavin & Gavin.