First Shows Announced for 2019 Underbelly Edinburgh Fringe

Underbelly fires its starting pistol for this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe announcing the tantalising first five shows on sale. These shows offer eager fans the chance to milk that early Fringe fix with a fantastic selection from the cream of comedy, circus and cabaret.

Following a smash hit 2018 Fringe, Foil, Arms and Hog, the Irish comic YouTube masters return to Edinburgh's majestic McEwan Hall with an hour of comedy sketches in their brand-new show Swines from 31st July 25th August at 9pm.

Five-star Fringe favourite CIRCA (Closer, Beyond, Wunderkammer) returns to Underbelly's Circus Hub after its 2017 blockbuster season with Humans. This is thrillingly fearless, boundary-pushing circus at its best. Running from 2nd 24th August at 7pm, ten acrobats take us on a stirring journey of what it means to be human, and how our bodies, our connections, and our aspirations all form part of who we are. Created by Yaron Lifschitz, Humans asks how much can we take how much weight can we carry?

Ensuring families are kept entertained and joining CIRCA in The Lafayette tent at Circus Hub, the Splash Test Dummies are back, ready to roll out their beach towels and spring into an hour of circus-filled hilarity for the whole family. See a brilliant array of catch-your-breath stunt work, acrobatics, juggling and the side-splitting, slapstick comedy for which the dummies are famous. Get set to drown in tears of laughter from the 3rd 24th August at 1pm.

Spank! returns to its spiritual home, Underbelly Cowgate for an incredible 16th year with hilarious hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. Showcasing the most exciting comedy and cabaret on the Fringe, don't miss the 'best wild night out' (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival! 'Comedy and legendary party night... if you haven't experienced this night, get down there right away!' (Time Out). It's raunchy, raucous and ridiculous and runs in The Belly Dancer from 2nd 25th August at 11.55pm.

Expanding into Underbelly's Cowbarn in Bristo Square following a smash hit Fringe 2018, the Thinking Drinkers return with a brand-new, hilarious and intoxicating look at history's greatest drinkers from the 31st July 25th August at 8.20pm. Enjoy five free drinks as the award-winning experts reveal how alcohol has inspired pioneering explorers, politicians and painters in equal measure, from Plato and Picasso, to Nelson, Napoleon and Norm from Cheers. You'll learn a lot and laugh a lot!

Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, directors of Underbelly said; Edinburgh is our home. The Fringe is where Underbelly started 19 years ago and today as we announce our first five brilliant shows to head up our 2019 programme, we are hugely excited at the prospect of another amazing Underbelly Fringe this year!

Our first on sale offers just a taste of what we have in store this year, including the return of the mighty Foil, Arms & Hog following their absolute triumph at McEwan Hall last year and of course we have the superhumans of the circus world, CIRCA return with Humans to dazzle audiences at our Circus Hub on The Meadows.

The Underbelly Edinburgh Fringe runs from the 31 July - 26 August 2019 across 22 venues and 4 sites; George Square, Circus Hub, Cowgate and Bristo Square. Further exciting programme details will be revealed in the coming months.

Get Broadway News on WhatsApp

Receive the latest updates, breaking news, and exclusive coverage from Broadway directly in WhatsApp.

Need more Scotland Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...