Underbelly Festival is set to return this summer with a brand-new venue at Cavendish Square in the Oxford Street District.
Since first opening in 2009, the festival has grown to become one of the UK’s biggest multi-arts festivals. Underbelly will feature a full programme of live performances, including cabaret, circus, and theatre. The festival will run from 1 July to 26 September.
In preparation for the 2021 festival, plans have been submitted to erect a wooden spiegeltent in place of the more traditional upside-down cow, in order to follow social distancing measures. Further adaptations to allow for COVID-19 prevention will also be put into place.
Underbelly Co-Director, Ed Bartlam said “we are thrilled to bring Underbelly Festival back to London. We’re looking forward to collaborating with local stakeholders and businesses and playing our part in bringing Central London roaring back to life this summer.
“Most importantly, we are so pleased to be able to once again provide a platform and a home for so many brilliant artists, freelancers and arts sector workers who have been deprived of a stage and a living for over a year.”
If approved, this will enable Underbelly, the company behind Underbelly Festival, to support Westminster City Council’s Inside Out Festival.
Inside Out is working towards attracting visitors back to the West End to enjoy London’s cultural and hospitality offerings safely.
More details about Underbelly’s programmes of shows are expected to be released in May.
Words by Millie Lockhart.
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Image: © Underbelly Ltd