Will there ever be an Underbelly launch in the sunshine?
For as long as we can remember, the weather decides to take a turn for the Underbelly Fringe launch – but that’s never stopped us!
Equipped with a poncho (which potentially gained the most amount of comments I’ve ever had on a piece of clothing – it’s covered in cactus so I’m not sure I need to say anymore), we soggily made our way to the giant upside-down cow at George Square.
Opening the show were house band Thumpasaurus who we STILL shamefully haven’t managed to catch at Edinburgh Fringe. This will be our year – you can hold us to it! With the addition of Fringe favourites Zach & Viggo they’re a double team to be reckoned with and we were out of our seats by the final song.
Throughout the show, we were treated to a whole host of acts encapsulating the variety of the fringe from stand-up comedy with Helen Lederer, hide-behind-your-hands worthy contortion from Universoul Circus: Hip Hop Under the Big Top and a good old-fashioned cream pie fight from Dick & Dom, Underbelly had it all.
Amongst the highlights in the show for us were without a doubt SIX. Who knew history could be so fun? Six the Musical is a pop-infused story told by the six wives of King Henry VIII. Remixing heartbreak into sassy singles flowing with attitude, the power girl group brought Kate Nash-esque vibes to the cow previewing an extremely catchy single (yes, we were almost singing along) and enviable costumes that I need in my wardrobe… despite their complete impracticality. After ten years of Fringe shows, I’ve never wanted to be in a show more than this.
What can we say about Gary Starr. Taking you on a journey through acting, like many Fringe shows this one started bizarrely but had us hooked. From Hamlet in seconds to catching grapes in his mouth before reenacting romcoms sharing that Lady and Tramp inspired spaghetti moment. We reckon that just about sums up his show, aptly titled Garry Starr Performs Everything!
It’s hard to believe it’s been 12 years since Dick & Dom left behind their Bungalow days. Shouting out ‘BOGIES’ aged 26 in a giant purple cow is something I never imagined, but it is the Fringe after all. Addicted to Dick & Dom in da Bungalow back in the day, my dreams of appearing on the show were so close, yet so far away, as they invited audience members on stage, including the directors of Underbelly Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, for a game of musical statues. Of course, it’s Dick & Dom so it was never going to be a mess-free game. Ending in a giant cream pie fight with mayhem on stage, it was a throwback to childhood that we didn’t know we needed. We’re sure the venue loved the clean-up….
Underbelly know how to put on a launch and it’s left us ready to go the Fringe – with a few new shows added to our never-ending list…
We’d also like to give a special shoutout to a forthcoming show Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit on August 13th. The night will raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity with all proceeds from the box office directly given to the charity. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer for children and adults under 40 and despite this, it is incredibly underfunded when it comes to research.
Compered by Susan Calman, marking her only Edinburgh Fringe appearance this year, the year’s benefit will also feature Nish Kumar, Joel Dommett, David O’Doherty and Zoe Lyons. Last year, the benefit raised £18,000 – let’s see if we can help top it!
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