Underbelly (venue)
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It has been suggested that this article be Underbelly Limited. (Discuss ) Proposed since February 2024. |
Edinburgh City Council | |
Opened | 2000 (annually during the Edinburgh Fringe only) |
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Website | |
www.underbelly.co.uk |
The Underbelly is a venue at the
History of the Underbelly
Underbelly was first opened in 2000, as a small performance venue for five shows brought to the Fringe by Double Edge Drama. The Double Edge directors had heard of the venue through a production of
In 2001, "Underbelly Limited" and "By Popular Demand Productions Limited" were set up to turn the Underbelly into a professional venue with a number of performance spaces and a wide range of productions.[citation needed] The venue was set up with performance spaces in the Iron Belly, White Belly and Big Belly. The Belly Laugh (then named the Belly Bar) was also used for late night cabaret as well as the venue's second bar. Space downstairs which is now used for Belly Dance was used to exhibit a film installation by Nick Hornby.
In 2002, The Underbelly was renamed The Smirnoff Underbelly. The number of performance spaces was increased to include the Belly Button and Belly Laugh comedy venues and a third bar, the Jelly Belly, to the first floor. The number of shows increased from 18 to over 50. In 2003, the Belly Dancer was soundproofed to ensure that it can be used throughout the day without disrupting other performances. This allowed Underbelly to team up with
In 2005, Underbelly was joined by the Baby Belly on Niddry Street, just off Cowgate, a two-minute walk from the original venue. The number of shows was now up to 140 spread over the three weeks of the
Performers at Underbelly
Performers who have appeared at Underbelly over the years include
- Jerry Springer - The Opera
- Waen Shepherd
- Will Adamsdale aka Chris John Jackson in Jackson's Way
- Lucy Porter
- Janey Godley
- Andrew O'Neill
- Rain Pryor
- Robin Ince
- Stephen K Amos
- Ricky Tomlinson
- Joan Rivers
- Russell Howard
- The Penny Dreadfuls
- Simon Bird
- Craig Campbell
- Frisky and Mannish
- The Fitzrovia Radio Hour
- EastEnd Cabaret
- Quattro Formaggio
- Beardyman
- Willis & Vere
See also
- Underbelly Ltd.
- Edinburgh Fringe
- Edinburgh Festival
References
External links
- Underbelly's website
- The Scotsman article on Underbelly