London won't be getting the big purple cow this year | New festival in its place

London won't be getting the big purple cow this year

New festival in its place

The giant purple cow will not be seen on London’s South Bank this summer.

For the past eight years, the eye-catching Udderbelly venue has been erected in the shadow of the London Eye to host cabaret and comedy shows. In 2012, it was joined by a wooden Spiegeltent to host the London Wonderground festival.

Underbelly festivalBut this year, both festivals have been merged into one event, called simply Underbelly Festival, which will run from April 28 to September 30.

Chortle understands the Spiegeltent will remain, but sit alongside a new space – one which will not have to be dismantled and moved to the Edinburgh Fringe during August.

Comedy acts announced today include James Acaster, Al Murray, Sara Pascoe and Festival of the Spoken Nerd.

In a statement, Underbelly directors Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood said the merging of the two festivals will ‘make for a more joined-up and better festival experience for customers’. 

Here are the listings of some of the shows so far announced, and the official website is here.

Published: 23 Mar 2017

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