The Underbelly Festival starts in London’s South Bank in April and runs through to September every year. 2019 will be the festivals 11th appearance and is set to be one of the most significant and most impressive yet.
The festival brings together all kinds of acts from the worlds of comedy, music, cabaret, circus acts and many more, there’s plenty for the entire family to enjoy. The Underbelly Festival is a joyous celebration of some of the best performers in the world and is a great chance to see acts that you wouldn’t get a chance to see at any other time of the year.
Making a trip to Underbelly a romantic break
While there are acts to suit all ages, many are strictly adults-only, making it a great festival to attend if you’re heading to London for a romantic getaway using some of London’s hotel’s romantic packages.
Combining your visit to the Underbelly Festival with a stay at the Park Grand London Kensington is the perfect way of combining fun and romance into one trip. By staying in a luxury hotel within easy reach of the South Bank, you can head down to your favourite shows with ease and still enjoy all the grandeur of a romantic luxury package.
Before heading out for the evening, you can indulge in the Park Grand London Kensington’s afternoon tea. For an extra level of romance, you can go for a champagne afternoon tea and add some bubbles to a traditional afternoon tea for two. It’s the perfect chance to spend some special time together before heading out to enjoy the weird and wonderful fun of Underbelly.
If afternoon tea isn’t your thing, you can enjoy a romantic evening meal in the Park Grand restaurant. Our opulent dining room is the perfect setting for a special meal together before you set out for an evening of fun and frolics.
Once you’re done romancing each other, it’s time to head down to the South Bank and enjoy a show or two. The Underbelly Festival has lots to offer and so much to see. To help you choose the best show to compliment your romantic break, here are some of our top shows, playing at Underbelly this year.
1: Club Briefs
Club Briefs are regulars at Underbelly Festival and will be familiar to those who enjoy London’s cabaret scene. Their late-night variety show provides all the fun of a fair with cabaret and circus acts that will delight and entertain you. Plus, their shows always have an incredible soundtrack that’s bound to get you on your feet and joining in.
2: Myra Dubois: Dead Funny
Character comic Myra Dubois will be taking to the Underbelly stage in September, providing a night full of hysterical, edgy comedy that will have you laughing all the way back to the Park Grand London Kensington. Myra knows precisely what she wants for her funeral, and of course, the only way she can make sure it’s done correctly is to do it herself. The show focuses on her sardonic look at death and the drama of grief, accompanied by a soundtrack written by Richard Thomas – famous for his work on Jerry Springer the Opera. It’s perfect for fans of dark, tongue-in-cheek comedy to enjoy together for an alternative and entertaining date night.
3: Marcel Lucont’s Cabaret Fantastique
Marcel Lucont is an English alternative comedian taking to the Underbelly Festival for one night only this year. His Cabaret Fantastique is an internationally-acclaimed cabaret show full of non-stop energy. It’s guaranteed to delight fans of cabaret and those who’re new to the art form too.
4: Criminal: An Improvised Murder Mystery
Criminal returns to the Underbelly Festival for the third year running, bringing an anarchic night of hilarity in the form of an improvised murder mystery. This innovative improvised dark-comedy gives audiences a chance to watch four comedians solve a hideous murder. The three suspects all know who the killer is, and so does the audience. The only person in the dark is the detective tasked with unmasking the culprit before the end of the night.
For lovers of crime drama and dark humour, this is the perfect show to include in your romantic city break.
5: Lost Voice Guy: I’m Only In It For The Parking
Following his Britain’s Got Talent win in 2018 and picking up wins for BBC New Comedy Award the comedian and star and writer of BBC Radio 4’s comedy, Ability, Lee Ridley (aka Lost Voice Guy) will be performing at Underbelly Festival for the first time in 2019. His hilarious take on life will leave you gasping with laughter and is ideal for couples who love to have a laugh together.
6: Spice Gals
The Spice Girls are back as you’ve never seen them before… sort of. Spice Gals is a fierce and side-splittingly hilarious drag act that will have you reliving all your fondest memories of the Spice Girls 90s success. It’s a must-see for all fans of the girl-power group.
7: The Cocoa Butter Club
The Cocoa Butter Club presents a five-show run of vibrant and exhilarating cabaret throughout the Underbelly Festival 2019. Their previous award-winning shows celebrate performer of colour and boast some of the best burlesque, voguing, circus, drag and dance talent in the country.
Their House of Burlesque, After Dark Special, Black Burlesque Revue and For the Culture shows will be running throughout August and provide audiences with a vibrant display of burlesque, striptease and music.
8: Christina Bianco: First Impressions
Star of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Paul O’Grady Show, and ITV’s The Imitation Game, Christina Bianco – the girl with thousand voices – returns to the UK and the Underbelly Festival. Her brand-new show is part of her upcoming nationwide tour and provides a comedic take on life in the modern-day world through uncanny impressions and musical mash-ups.
