Big top circus shows get a space at Fringe

THE Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to have its first major venue dedicated solely to circus acts.

Circus Hub is being created and programmed by the Underbelly venue. The venue will have a circus programme of 12 shows.

These will include two European premieres, four UK premieres, five Fringe premieres, and will feature artists from across the globe.

Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, directors of Underbelly, said: “In recent years we’ve worked extensively in the circus scene internationally, in the UK and at the Fringe. Two things have become clear.

“As we’ve seen from hit seasons of show’s like Circa’s Beyond, which we produced at the festival in 2014, there’s a huge appetite for circus at the Festival.

“The Edinburgh Fringe has been constrained by financial considerations and the suitability of performance spaces.

“With Circus Hub, we wanted to change that, by creating a thriving focus for world class circus at the Fringe – one site presenting the largest and most technically ambitious programme of circus that the Fringe has ever seen.’

Companies will include Ockham’s Razor, making their first ever appearance at the Fringe; renowned international circus companies Cirk La Putyka with Dolls and Cirque Le Roux with The Elephant In The Room.

Returning to Edinburgh are Limbo and Bromance, the Total Theatre Award winning show from The Edinburgh Fringe 2014.

Finally there is late-night shows from Fringe favourite Piff the Magic Dragon: Breakfast At Piffany’s.

The two big tops are called The Lafayette, which has 750 seats, and The Beauty, which has 250 seats.

The Circus Hub will be on the Meadows on the city’s south side.

Circus Hub will run from Friday 7 August to Saturday 29 August and will be open daily from 9am to midnight.