Underbelly's Southbank Festival to return for 10th year in 2018

Underbelly has announced the return of Underbelly Festival for 2018, which will see them mark 10 years on London’s Southbank having broken through the one-million ticket barrier in 2017.

Over the past decade Underbelly’s occupancy of the Southbank has been a sure-fire sign that summer is on its way, and its mix of electric live entertainment and some of the capital’s most buzzing outdoor drinking spaces has made it one of London’s most popular festivals.

Underbelly Festival 2018 will run from 6^th April to 30^th September with the first details of two spectacular headlining shows from world class international circus troupes, Circus Abyssiniaand Circa, also revealed today.

Fresh from taking the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe by storm and starring in this year’s Royal Variety Performance (airing this Tuesday 19^th December) extraordinary Ethiopian troupe Circus Abyssinia will make their debut on the Southbank with the London premiere of their hit show Ethiopian Dreams. An unashamedly joyful mix of astonishing stunts, astounding circus skills and enchanting adventure, Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams follows the magical journey of two little Ethiopian brothers, Bibi & Bichu, who dream of joining the circus.

Ethiopian Dreams – what the critics said:

“Sensational entertainment” ★★★★ The Times

“Needs to be seen to be believed… Pure circus gold” ★★★★ The Scotsman

The second company bringing a sensational new show to the Southbank will be Circa, the Australian giants of high-concept theatrical circus, who will present the UK premiere of a brand-new circus-cabaret Peepshow having previously performed on the Southbank with Beyond and Close Up.

Peepshow turns cabaret on its head, literally, lurching from the thrillingly acrobatic to the comically playful. Expect teetering towers of balanced bodies, extreme bending and devilishly precarious aerials from a company whose legendary productions have attracted over a million people since their inception three decades ago.

These two shows will be joined by another mystery headliner to be named soon alongside a host of the very best talent from the worlds of comedy, cabaret, circus and family entertainment, all taking place across two unique venues set beside some of the capital’s coolest outdoor bars.

Underbelly Directors Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood said:

“It’s our tenth year on the Southbank and the announcement of today’s headline shows are a statement of our intent to make it the best ever.

“Circus Abyssinia were the talk of this year’s Fringe and rightly rewarded with a spot on the Royal Variety Performance so it’s a joy to be giving them their first London run, while Circa are legends in the circus world and it’s a huge privilege to have them with us once more with what could be one of their most breathtaking shows ever.

“Beyond this we’ve got some very special plans for our tenth year on the Southbank, more of which will be revealed in early 2018, watch this space.”