NEWS TICKER
Underbelly Announces 2025 Circus Hub Lineup for Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Published on
May 1, 2025
By
Julia Jordan
CIRCA: WOLF Makes UK Debut and Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett Returns to the Meadows
Underbelly has unveiled the 2025 programme for its acclaimed Circus Hub at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, returning this August with a dynamic mix of circus, cabaret, physical theatre, and family entertainment. Set in The Lafayette and The Beauty venues on The Meadows, the Circus Hub continues its reputation as one of the Fringe’s most exhilarating destinations.
Highlights include the UK premiere of CIRCA: WOLF and the return of international cabaret sensation Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett. With 11 shows across genres, this year’s programme promises breathtaking spectacle, genre-defying performances, and entertainment for all ages.
Headline Acts and UK Premieres
One of the most anticipated productions this year is the UK debut of CIRCA: WOLF, a bold and physical exploration of primal instincts, from the world-renowned Australian ensemble CIRCA. Fusing razor-sharp choreography with daring acrobatics, it has been described as “a rollercoaster ride of emotions” and “circus with fangs.”
Also making a triumphant return is Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett, a no-holds-barred late-night cabaret experience blending live music, aerial feats, fire-breathing, and gender-bending artistry. Fresh from sold-out runs in Australia and London, Dieter’s punk cabaret redefines the limits of live performance.
Other must-see highlights include:
Mythos: Ragnarök – a physical theatre smash blending Viking mythology and full-contact wrestling
The Nose Dive Assembly – featuring the UK’s only all-female Wheel of Death duo
Flip Fabrique: Six° – a gravity-defying show about human connection
Expanding Family Programme
This year sees a record number of family-focused shows, including:
The Flying Bubble Show – a dreamlike interactive spectacle for young audiences
The Ugly Duckling – a heartwarming circus reimagining of the classic tale
All Star Circus – a high-energy display from Australian acrobats
Trash Test Dummies Circus – a returning family favourite using slapstick and wheelie bins
These productions run throughout August, offering daytime shows to entertain and inspire children and adults alike.
Returning Favourites and New Voices
The 2025 programme also sees the return of popular productions including:
Sophie’s Surprise 29th – a wild blend of circus and 90s house party nostalgia
Trash Test Dummies – celebrated for their inventive, physical comedy
New additions include The Ruckus, a circus-meets-punk cabaret filled with aerials, bold performances, and inclusive joy.
About the Circus Hub and Underbelly
Founded in 2015, the Circus Hub was the first major Edinburgh Fringe venue dedicated entirely to circus. It operates two signature venues on The Meadows:
The Lafayette – a 550-seat big top named after legendary illusionist The Great Lafayette
The Beauty – a 500-seat Spiegeltent named for his beloved performing dog
Together, they create a space for bold, visually striking, and emotionally resonant circus performance. Underbelly is one of the largest producers at the Edinburgh Fringe and continues to champion cutting-edge circus alongside its work across cabaret, theatre and comedy.
Marina Dixon, Head of Programming for Underbelly, said:
“This year’s Circus Hub brings together a fantastic mix of shows from around the world, with more UK circus than ever before. It’s full of joy, spectacle and heart—there really is something for everyone.”
Ticket Information
Tickets for all Circus Hub shows are now on sale now. Audiences are encouraged to book early, as several returning shows sold out in 2024. Performances will run daily from 1–23 August 2025, with most productions dark on 11th, 12th, 18th or 19th depending on the title.
A Standout Destination in the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Line-Up
With a daring and diverse programme, the 2025 Circus Hub promises to once again be a central attraction at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, combining international artistry, thrilling acrobatics, and boundary-pushing cabaret. Whether you're a Fringe regular or first-time visitor, the Circus Hub offers something spectacular every day this August.
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