Underbelly has today announced its latest lineup of shows for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The entertainment company will continue its tradition of a range of theatre, comedy, cabaret, circus, musicals, children’s shows and more, and will play host to an international line-up with performers hailing from the UK, USA, Australia, Japan, Guinea, France and Canada, to name a few.
2024 will see new Underbelly debuts for a variety of shows; from the spellbinding acrobatics of Circus Baobab with their show, Yé!; to the absurd and wordless acrobatic pas-de-deux, OH OH, that promises laughter and wonder, brought to you by Compagnia Baccalà, the creators of Pss Pss; Tweedy’s Massive Circus invites audiences on a whimsical adventure with Giffords Circus star Tweedy The Clown; Machine de Cirque will present Ghost Light: Between Fall and Flight – a mesmerising duet performed on a spinning teeterboard that blurs the line between fall and flight, showcasing Guinness world record-holder Maxim Laurin joined by Guillaume Larouche in a breathtaking display of acrobatics.
From further afield, Japan’s most talked-about contemporary circus company, Cirquework, makes its UK premiere with YOAH, promising a jaw-dropping fusion of physicality and visual effects that redefine the circus experience.
I Wish You Well – The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical portrays Academy Award winner and devastating downhill skier, Gwyneth Paltrow, as she defends her legacy whilst delivering camp courtroom musical drama at its finest. All the while, DIVA: Live From Hell!, a riotous, blood-stained love letter to Broadway starring West End star, Luke Bayer, promises laughter and revenge and ALOK will amuse all with their new stand-up show, offering a wickedly sharp and delightfully silly exploration of gender and genre. Changing the tone slightly, Tending will importantly shine a spotlight on the lives of nurses working on the NHS frontline, offering a heartwarming and humorous look at the resilience of the human spirit.
Various audience favourites will also be making highly anticipated returns in 2024, such as the pulsating symphony of acrobatics in Circa Humans 2.0. La Clique returns to the Spiegeltent after two sell-out seasons in 2022 and 2023, promising unforgettable performances that push the boundaries of circus and cabaret; and Trash Test Dummies Circus sees the award-winning slapstick routine back at Circus Hub, taking the humble wheelie bin to new heights in a dump-truck of hilarity.
House of Life promises a musical journey like no other, with the Rave-Rend once again leading audiences on a sermon, purge, and party rolled into one. With its infectious energy and uplifting message, this production is sure to be the feel-good sensation of the Fringe. Continuing on the party atmosphere, Sophie’s Surprise 29th invites audiences to the craziest house party in the final Spiegeltent show of the day, as Sophie celebrates turning 29 with a riotous blend of circus, comedy, and chaos. Also back for another year, Bill’s 44th, from critically acclaimed puppeteering duo Andy Manjuck and Dorothy James, promises a tragicomic celebration like no other. This five-star hit returns for 2024 and invites audiences to an unforgettable and surreal birthday party.
The excitement is already building for previously announced shows, with Hannah Gadsby making a triumphant return to the Fringe with Woof!, and Rob Madge returning with their sell-out and award-winning show, My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?). Late night Cowgate hit BATSU! also returns after selling out in 2023 with comedians competing to avoid jaw-dropping punishments.
Bringing the party to McEwan Hall for the first time, Massaoke: Greatest Hits Live celebrates its 10th year as the no.1 party of the Fringe, inviting audiences for a sing-along megamix of the biggest hairbrush anthems. Or, if you’re more of a fan of musicals, Massaoke: Sing The Musicals features all the favourite hits from stage and screen promising musical fun for all ages. Returning to McEwan Hall is Colin Cloud with Consequences, promising to unravel the mysteries of the mind and challenge audiences to examine their beliefs and their impact on existence.
Edinburgh Comedy Allstars will deliver the biggest, brightest comedians in one unmissable show every weekend in the famous Udderbelly. In a one-off celebration, Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit will bring comedy stars together for a 6th year running, promising an evening of comedy in which all box office income is donated to The Brain Tumour Charity.
Alongside this are the three 2024 winners of the Untapped Award in partnership with New Diorama Theatre and Concord Theatricals, which supports early and mid-career theatre companies to bring intriguing stories and bold ideas to Fringe. These are: DRUM, a true story of Ghanaian photographer James Barnor meeting BBC broadcaster Mike Eghan in the swinging 60s; The Mosinee Project, a true story of an American midwestern town faking a communist coup in the mid 50s; and Ugly Sisters, a hallucinatory plunge through the circles of new sisterhood, asking who fits into a glass slipper and who buys heels for drag queens.
Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe runs from the 31st of July – 26th of August. Find out more and ticket details at – www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk.
