Underbelly announces added shows to 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Programme

The iconic Edinburgh venue has added a raft of new shows to its sparkling 2023 line-up featuring circus, theatre, cabaret, comedy, music, and musical theatre across multiple venues.

Article Source: Underbelly
Last Updated: 12 July 2023 15:45

The iconic Edinburgh venue has added a raft of new shows to its sparkling 2023 line-up featuring circus, theatre, cabaret, comedy, music, and musical theatre across Bristo Square, Cowgate, Circus Hub and George Square.

Highlights include:

• Matt Forde will bring his hugely successful podcast The Political Party to McEwan Hall for one show only on Friday 18th August. Matt will be joined by one of the most charismatic, compelling, and outrageous politicians in Britain - Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner as she delves into her political career during this special live podcast.

• In addition to their debut solo tour show Danny Beard & Their Band, join RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard and their best friend, DJ Billy Andrew for a very special live recording of their hilariously camp podcast Gossip Gays for one night only in Bristo Square.

• Following a sell-out run in 2022, 4 x Fringe Awards winning clown comic Garry Starr returns to Bristo Square for five dates only (23rd-27th) with Greece Lightning. Starr will perform all of Greek Mythology - never before has Medusa been looser, Achilles more sillies, or Uranus so heinous - an anarchic masterclass not to be mythed!

All new shows:

• Edinburgh Comedy Allstars returns every Friday and Saturday with the biggest, brightest comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe all in one huge show, staged in the famous Udderbelly. A one-stop shop for your comedy fix right in the beating heart of the festival, acts confirmed include Jason Byrne, John Hastings, Celya AB, David O’Doherty, Catherine Bohart, Larry Dean, Garrett Millerick, Lara Ricote, Chloe Petts, Darren Harriott, Sarah Keyworth, Sikisa, Steve Bugeja, Pierre Novellie, Tadiwa Mahlunge, Ivo Graham, Helen Bauer, Olga Koch, Dan Tiernan and many, many more. For daily line-ups visit underbellyedinburgh.co.uk

• At McEwan Hall, join TUTU on a “hugely entertaining and hilarious” (BroadwayBaby ★★★★★) tribute to dance, where comedy and incredible dance skills intertwine seamlessly to delight crowds of all ages. Featuring an all-male cast of six dancers decked out in flamboyant costumes, this show is a humorous celebration of dance in all its glory... Yes, a bare-chested tutu-clad man can perform a stunningly graceful pointe solo!

• For six dates only, McEwan Hall hosts An Afternoon with Anton Du Beke and Friends. The Strictly Come Dancing legendary judge takes to the stage with a live band, a guest singer and his dancers. Performing some of his favourite songs and dances that have inspired his career, expect behind the scenes stories from Anton’s time on Strictly that will have you laughing out loud. Don’t miss this special opportunity to get up close and personal with the King of the ballroom!

• Meanwhile in Bristo Square, Perrier Award winning Will Adamsdale: Show of Just Songs will regale audiences with the ballad(s) of a man adrift in the modern age (though enjoying heated car seats), for tales of CD hoarding, failed citizen's arrests and a film career playing murdered schoolteachers, medieval lookouts, and Nigel Havers' son.

• Also in Bristo Square, The Gaffer explores how the beautiful game can turn ugly quickly. Football manager Shaun Woods discovers his private life is set to make the back and front pages. For Shaun, the game doesn't last 90 minutes, it's a battle with no full-time whistle. Performed by Fringe First Award winner Chris Larner, this new short play written by acclaimed journalist Rob Crossan is not to be missed.

• For six nights only at McEwan Hall “Broadway’s greatest comic storyteller" (Deadline) Mike Birbiglia brings his show The Old Man & The Pool to the Edinburgh Fringe. Chronicling his coming-of-middle-age story Mike presents his tale of life, death, and a highly chlorinated YMCA pool that will resonates with audiences ages 12 to 112.

• Experience the extraordinary as Suhani Shah, the world's highest-subscribed mentalist, brings her Edinburgh debut Spellbound to Bristo Square. India's most famous mind reader has captivated global audiences with her charismatic persona, linguistic deception and comedic charm - an unforgettable evening is guaranteed!

• For one night only on 24th August, Bristo Square welcomes the Straight Comedian of the Year ‘Grand Final’ where crowds will bear witness to the epic conclusion of ex-gay comedian Simon David's search to find the UK's funniest heterosexual. The biggest breeders of the Fringe will battle it out for the title and a Fiat 500.

Other Programme Highlights include:

• Taking over McEwan Hall, Havana Street Party is an exhilarating explosion of salsa, rumba and street dance direct from Cuba; Sara Pascoe’s Success Story flies in for one night only; Foil Arms and Hog: Hogwash, the Fringe favourites return with a five-star comedy for an exclusive limited run; Drag Race double crown winner Monét X Change shares anecdotes and opinions on life in the tireless comedy Life Be Lifein’.

• Over in Circus Hub, The 7 Fingers bring circus to a whole new theatrical level with the world premiere of Duel Reality - a must for fans of Romeo and Juliet and wondrous acrobatics; East London’s The Revel Puck Circus make their Fringe debut with an exhilarating new show The Wing Scuffle Spectacular; Aloft returns with Brave Space after selling out their innovative 2022 season and also presents Sanctuary, a punk-rock cabaret with a revolving line-up of internationally renowned circus artists backed by a live band.

• In the iconic upside-down purple cow, the Udderbelly, Mario The Maker Magician brings robot magic direct from New York, with a wild and original family show; Choir!Choir!Choir! is a show where the crowd is the star and you’ll be harmonising to well-known classics in no time.

• At Cowgate, Bill’s 44th - a poignant puppet tragicomedy for adults, called “Buoyant, mesmerizing, joy-inducing” as the New York Times Critics Pick; and identical twins Patrick and Hugo McPherson return with Pear: But Braver, after the success of their sketch comedy debut Pear in 2022.

• Winners of the Untapped award, in partnership with New Diorama Theatre, Concord Theatricals and Nouveau Riche, have been confirmed; It's A Motherf**king Pleasure, a witty satirical delight fresh from two acclaimed London runs; Dugsi Dayz, inspired by The Breakfast Club, subverting Somali folktales and exploring friendships; and One Way Out, a powerful drama about four friends on the cusp of adulthood, exploring young British Caribbeans' experiences of the Windrush crisis.

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