Your visit
Accessibility
Underbelly understands disability within the Social Model. This means we are committed to making our festivals accessible to everyone and creating equal experiences for all people.
Access Bookings
If you require the assistance of a personal assistant or a carer to attend, your companion may be eligible for a complimentary ticket. Free companion tickets can be booked in person, over email or over the phone.
To discuss this with a member of our team, please email boxoffice@underbelly.co.uk.
Show Information
Some of our performances may include loud noises, flashing or strobe lighting. We display any content warnings prior to the show starting, but if you require more information, please ask our front of house team or email access@underbelly.co.uk ahead of your visit.
Accessible Performances
Jack Rooke
A captioned performance of Jack Rooke is available, with open captions provided by Claire Hill.
Friday 29th August: Book Here
Jellyfish
Extant in partnership with Underbelly presents Enhance.
Visually impaired access has been created for this show post-production, devised by an Extant visually impaired facilitator. This is not audio description, but instead an 'enhanced' way of providing access that has been tried and tested by Extant.
We invite visually impaired audiences to come along and experience the programme notes and touch tour before the show. The notes encapsulate the visual aspects of the show and are written with access for visually impaired audiences at the core. The Touch Tour offers exploration of set, props and costume: offering an immersive space in which to imagine the work before the show begins.
The tour starts 1 hour before the performance. Booking is required: please select this ticket type to attend both the show and touch tour.
Sunday 17th August: Touch Tour at 11.15am, show at 12.15pm – Book Here
Aarian Mehrabani: How's Your Head?
Extant in partnership with Underbelly presents Enhance.
Visually impaired access has been created for this show post-production, devised by an Extant visually impaired facilitator. This is not audio description, but instead an 'enhanced' way of providing access that has been tried and tested by Extant.
We invite visually impaired audiences to come along and experience the programme notes and touch tour before the show. The notes encapsulate the visual aspects of the show and are written with access for visually impaired audiences at the core. The Touch Tour offers exploration of set, props and costume: offering an immersive space in which to imagine the work before the show begins.
The tour starts 1 hour before the performance. Booking is required: please select this ticket type to attend both the show and touch tour.
Sunday 17th August: Book Here
Play Dead
Relaxed performances of Play Dead are available. These performances are designed to be a more welcoming experience for those who may benefit from a more relaxed environment, including neurodivergent audiences, those with learning disabilities, and anyone who feels they would benefit.
Wednesday 20th August: Book Here
Monday 25th August: Book Here
Hugo's Rainbow Show
All performances of Hugo's Rainbow Show are relaxed and suitable for small children and neurodiverse audiences.
Audience perks include: a chill-out area, permission to move around and make noise, and permission to engage with the performer. The show contains no blackouts, flashing lights, loud sound, special effects, distinctive smells, latex balloons, characters expressing anger, or dialogue-driven scenes. Audiences are not required to walk around, undertake directed movement, or sing/speak along with the performer, and are not invited onstage. The performer does not enter the audience area.
The show begins with Hugo Grrrl greeting audience members as they arrive and introducing himself.
All performances: Book Here
Jessica Barton: Dirty Work
A relaxed performance of Jessica Barton: Dirty Work is available.
Audience perks include: a chill-out area and permission to move around and make noise. The show contains no blackouts, flashing lights, loud sound, special effects, distinctive smells, latex balloons, characters expressing anger, or dialogue-driven scenes. Audiences are invited to sing/speak along with the performer, but no other participation is required. A character introduction will be made by the performer before the show, and a list of sensory triggers will be available at the door.
Tuesday 19th August: Book Here
This Play Shouldn't Exist (and I was supposed to be on holiday)
Relaxed performances of This Play Shouldn't Exist are available. For these performances, audience interaction is removed, music is played at the lowest possible setting, and audiences are free to enter and exit as they please. There is no audience participation.
Audience perks include: permission to move around and make noise. The show contains no blackouts, flashing lights, loud sound, special effects, distinctive smells, latex balloons, or characters expressing anger.
Tuesday 19th August: Book Here
Tuesday 26th August: Book Here
Austentatious
A captioned performance of Austentatious is available, with open captions provided by Claire Hill.
Tuesday 12th August: Book Here
Afronauts
An audio described performance of Afronauts is available. Audio description is provided by Christopher McKiddie via a unit with headset.
Please note: headsets for audio description are limited, so please select this ticket type when booking to help us with expected numbers and allocation.
Saturday 16th August: Book Here
Glob
Relaxed performances of Glob are available. Please note that the performance contains a total audience blackout, special effects, and characters expressing anger. There is no audience participation of any sort.
A visual story will be available before the show and on the listing. Relaxed performances feature soft lights and sound, an open door policy, and a self-description and introduction to the relaxed format at the start. Audiences are welcome to move around and make noise.
An Access Guide is also available to view in advance.
Thursday 14th August: Book Here
Wednesday 20th August: Book Here
Tuesday 26th August: Book Here
Georgia Polly Taylor: Very Hot Very Messy
A relaxed performance of Georgia Polly Taylor: Very Hot Very Messy is available.
Audience perks include: permission to move around and make noise, permission to engage with the performer, and a show guide/synopsis/character list. Please note the show contains latex balloons and a character expressing anger. The audience are invited onstage and the performer enters the audience area — all interaction is permission-based. A pre-recorded character introduction will be available on the show listing. Sensory toys will be available, house lights will remain on throughout, and unexpected or overlapping sound will be avoided. The latex balloons will be handled carefully to avoid loud noises; audiences are not encouraged to touch them.
Monday 18th August: Book Here
The Ghost of White Hart Lane
Relaxed performances of The Ghost of White Hart Lane are available. Please note the performance contains a total audience blackout and heavy dialogue-driven scenes. There is no audience participation.
Audiences have permission to move around and make noise. Please be aware that there is only one aisle for audiences to leave the auditorium.
Tuesday 12th August: Book Here
Tuesday 19th August: Book Here
How to Art
Relaxed performances of How to Art are available. An Access Guide is available online and can be requested via email in advance. It includes venue access information, cast details, and a show summary with photographs with built-in alt text.
Relaxed performances feature lowered levels of lighting and sound where appropriate, house lights partially up throughout, an open door policy, and encouraged use of personal access tools such as sunglasses, headphones, fidget toys, and physical and vocal stims. (These tools are welcomed at every performance of How to Art, not only relaxed performances.)
Please note: How to Art is a highly interactive show — characters speak directly to the audience and invite individuals onstage. For the relaxed performance, those wishing for a more interactive experience are welcome to sit at the front. All interaction is permission-based and no audience member is ever forced to participate. A gentle 'That's ok, how about you?' is used throughout. Content note: the show contains a total audience blackout, flashing lights, loud sound, special effects, characters expressing anger, and heavily dialogue-driven scenes.
Monday 18th August: Book Here
Monday 25th August: Book Here
Deluge
An audio described performance of Deluge is available. Audio description is provided by Christopher McKiddie via a unit with headset.
Please note: headsets for audio description are limited, so please select this ticket type when booking to help us with expected numbers and allocation.
Tuesday 26th August: Book Here
Chris Martin Lied To Us
A captioned performance and relaxed performances of Chris Martin Lied To Us are available.
Captioned Performance — Open captions provided by Claire Hill.
Thursday 21st August: Book Here
Relaxed Performances — All performances of Chris Martin Lied To Us are relaxed. A chill-out area is available and audiences have permission to move around and make noise. Audiences are free to stim or tic, and this will be reaffirmed at the start of the show.
Content notes: the show contains distinctive smells (brief use of a menthol tear stick), one instance of balloon inflation, audience participation involving singing/speaking along with the performer, and the performer enters the audience area.
All performances: Book Here
CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation
A captioned performance of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation is available, with open captions provided by Claire Hill.
Wednesday 20th August: Book Here
…Earnest
Both a captioned performance and an audio described performance of …Earnest are available.
Captioned Performance — Open captions provided by Claire Hill.
Sunday 10th August: Book Here
Audio Described Performance — Audio description provided by Christopher McKiddie via a unit with headset.
Please note: headsets for audio description are limited, so please select this ticket type when booking to help us with expected numbers and allocation.
Sunday 17th August: Book Here
Francisco de Nata
A relaxed performance of Francisco de Nata is available.
Audience perks include: permission to move around and make noise, and permission to engage with the performer. Content notes: the show contains a total blackout, flashing/strobed lighting, loud sound, special effects, and characters expressing anger. Audiences are required to undertake directed movement and sing/speak along with the performer; the audience is invited onstage and the performer enters the audience area. A character introduction will be available in advance.
Sunday 10th August: Book Here
Kinder
A relaxed performance of Kinder is available. For this performance, some of the more intense lighting sequences will be reduced in severity, and the volume of accompanying sound will be lowered.
Audience perks include: permission to move around and make noise, and a show guide/synopsis/character list. Content notes: the show contains a total blackout, flashing/strobed lighting, characters expressing anger, and heavily dialogue-driven scenes. The performer enters the audience area. There is no audience participation.
Before the show, audiences will have access to a character description video from the performer and a PDF visual story detailing narrative and technical elements of the performance.
Sunday 24th August: Book Here
Bad Boy
Both a relaxed performance and touch tours of Bad Boy are available.
Relaxed Performance — Audience perks include: permission to move around and make noise, and a show guide/synopsis/character list. Please note the show contains a total audience blackout. There is no audience participation.
Monday 18th August: Book Here
Touch Tours — Meet at 12:45, 15 minutes before the show. Audiences are invited to explore the set and interact with the actor pre-show. Booking is required: please select this ticket type to attend both the tour and the show.
Saturday 9th August: Book Here
Monday 18th August: Book Here
Under the Influence
A captioned performance of Under the Influence is available, with open captions provided by Claire Hill.
Saturday 23rd August: Book Here
Large Print Information
We have large print versions of bar and food menus at all our venues. Please let us know if you require a large print version of any of our materials.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere, and water bowls can be provided if required.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society also offer an access booking service if you have questions or require assistance regarding shows at non-Underbelly venues.
You can find out more at https://www.edfringe.com/experience/accessibility-and-additional-needs.
Fringe Sensory Backpacks
The Fringe Society provide sensory backpacks for anyone who may find the festival environment overwhelming. Backpacks can be reserved by emailing access@edfringe.com and collected from the Fringe shop on the Royal Mile.
Get in Touch
For more information about our access facilities, or if you have any ideas about what we could do better, please contact us in one of the following ways:
- Email us on access@underbelly.co.uk
- Call us on 0131 510 0395
- Talk to a member of staff during your visit.
You can also leave us a review on Euan’s Guide.
Our Venues
UNDERBELLY COWGATE
Unfortunately, due to the historical and temporary nature of the venue, only one performance space, Belly Dancer, is accessible for people who require the use of a wheelchair. All other performance spaces within the venue can only be accessed by staircase.
Performance Spaces
The below information is based on entry from our main entrance on Cowgate. This is our recommended entrance to the venue for those who find climbing stairs more difficult.
Belly Dancer
This venue is accessible by a shallow ramp and can accommodate up to 2 manual or powered wheelchairs. The seating in the venue is all on 1 level.
Big Belly
This venue can only be accessed via 2 flights of a standard set of stairs with a handrail (31 steps). The seating in the venue is raked.
Belly Button
This venue can only be accessed via 1 flight of a standard set of stairs with a handrail (15 steps). The seating in the venue is raked.
Jelly Belly
This venue can only be accessed via 1 flight of a spiral staircase with a handrail (16 steps). The seating in the venue is all on 1 level.
Iron Belly
This venue can only be accessed via 2 flights of a spiral staircase with a handrail (32 steps). The seating in the venue is raked.
Belly Laugh
This venue can only be accessed via 2 flights of a spiral staircase with a handrail (32 steps). The seating in the venue is all on 1 level.
White Belly
This venue can only be accessed via 2 flights of a spiral staircase with a handrail (32 steps). The seating in the venue is all on 1 level.
Box Office
The main box office is on the ground floor of the venue. This has a lowered section of the counter. The box office has a hearing loop installed. Please ask a member of staff if you have any questions about this.
Food and Drink
The Beer Belly bar is located on the ground floor of the building and is accessible via ramp. The bar does not have a lowered section of the counter, but staff are trained to assist all customers.
Toilet Facilities
There is an accessible toilet located on the ground floor of the venue, by the Beer Belly bar. The toilet unit is accessed by a shallow ramp. The door opens outwards and is wide enough for both manual and powered wheelchairs. Inside, there are fixed handrails and drop-down rails to assist with self-transfer between a wheelchair and the toilet. All handrails are colour-contrasting. There is a low-level sink installed.
The nearest Changing Places toilet facilities are in the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street which is open from 10:00 to 17:00 and at the Wetherspoons Booking Office on Waverley Bridge which is open from 06:00 to 00:00.
From 2-26 August there is a temporary Changing Places facility positioned on Middle Meadow Walk (outside Edinburgh Futures Institute), open 10:00 to 22:00.
Parking
This area gets very busy during the festival. The closest multi-storey car park is NCP Edinburgh Castle Terrace which has 5 accessible parking bays.
The closest taxi pick-up and drop-off point is at the junction of Victoria Street and Grassmarket.
UNDERBELLY GEORGE SQUARE
Underbelly George Square has ramped access throughout the site and into all performance venues.
Performance Spaces
Udderbelly
This venue is accessible by a shallow ramp and can accommodate up to 4 manual or powered wheelchairs. The seating in the venue is raked with the front 2 rows at floor level. This venue has a hearing loop installed.
Wee Coo
This venue is accessible by a shallow ramp and can accommodate up to 2 manual or powered wheelchairs. The seating in the venue is all on 1 level.
Buttercup
This venue is accessible at ground level via a shallow ramp and can accommodate up to 2 manual or powered wheelchairs. The seating in the venue is all on 1 level.
Bluebell
This venue is accessible at ground level via a shallow ramp and can accommodate up to 2 manual or powered wheelchairs. The seating in the venue is all on 1 level.
Box Office
There are two box offices at Underbelly George Square. The main box office is just outside the gardens on the north side of the square. There is an additional box office next to the Udderbelly venue. Neither of the box offices have a lowered section of the counter, but staff are trained to assist all customers. Both box offices have a hearing loop installed. Please ask a member of staff if you have any questions about this.
Food and Drink
The main bar has a low-level counter section. The food concessions do not have a lowered section of their counters, but staff are trained to assist all customers.
Toilet Facilities
There is an accessible toilet located within the main toilet are of the site. The toilet unit is accessed by a shallow ramp. The door opens outwards and is wide enough for both manual and powered wheelchairs. Inside, there are fixed handrails and drop-down rails to assist with self-transfer between a wheelchair and the toilet. All handrails are colour-contrasting. There is a low-level sink installed.
The nearest Changing Places toilet facilities will be on Windmill Street, just off George Square. Opening times are still to be confirmed. Additional facilities can be found in the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street which is open from 10:00 to 17:00.
From 2-26 August there is a temporary Changing Places facility positioned on Middle Meadow Walk (outside Edinburgh Futures Institute), open 10:00 to 22:00.
Parking
There is limited on-street pay and display parking on Buccleuch Place, to the south side of George Square. However, this area gets very busy during the festival. The closest multi-storey car park is Q-Park Quartermile which has 10 accessible parking bays.
The closest taxi pick-up and drop-off point is at the junction of Crighton Street and Chapel Street.
UNDERBELLY’S CIRCUS HUB ON THE MEADOWS
Circus Hub on the Meadows has ramped access throughout the site and into all performance venues.
Performance Spaces
The Lafayette
This venue is accessible at ground level and can accommodate up to 4 manual or powered wheelchairs. The seating in the venue is raked with the front 2 rows at floor level.
The Beauty
This venue is accessible by a ramp and can accommodate up to 4 manual or powered wheelchairs. Most of the seating in the venue is across 2 levels with a ramp between the levels. The only section of seating which is not fully accessible are the booths which accessed via 2 steps.
Box Office
The box office is just outside the site, by the main entrance. The box office does not have a lowered section of the counter, but staff are trained to assist all customers. A hearing loop is installed. Please ask a member of staff if you have any questions about this.
Food and Drink
The main bar has a low-level counter section. The food concessions do not have a lowered section of their counters, but staff are trained to assist all customers.
Toilet Facilities
There is an accessible toilet located within the main toilet are of the site. The toilet unit is accessed by a shallow ramp. The door opens outwards and is wide enough for both manual and powered wheelchairs. Inside, there are fixed handrails and drop-down rails to assist with self-transfer between a wheelchair and the toilet. All handrails are colour-contrasting. There is a low-level sink installed.
The nearest Changing Places toilet facilities will be on Windmill Street, just off George Square. Opening times are still to be confirmed. Additional facilities can be found in the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street which is open from 10:00 to 17:00.
From 2-26 August there is a temporary Changing Places facility positioned on Middle Meadow Walk (outside Edinburgh Futures Institute), open 10:00 to 22:00.
Parking
There is limited on-street pay and display parking on Buccleuch Place, to the north of the Meadows. However, this area gets very busy during the festival. The closest multi-storey car park is Q-Park Quartermile which has 10 accessible parking bays.
The closest taxi pick-up and drop-off point is at the junction of Buccleuch Place and Meadow Lane.
UNDERBELLY BRISTO SQUARE
Underbelly Bristo Square has ramped access throughout the site and into all performance venues except Ermintrude.
Performance Spaces
McEwan Hall
McEwan Hall is similar to a traditional proscenium arch theatre with seating across 3 levels: stalls, balcony and upper balcony. All levels consist of raked seating. There is a lift providing access to all levels but only the stalls level is accessible to wheelchair users. The front 5 rows of the stalls are at floor level and we can accommodate up to 6 manual or powered wheelchairs. This venue has a hearing loop installed.
Cow Barn
This venue is accessible by a shallow ramp and can accommodate up to 2 manual or powered wheelchairs. The seating in the venue is raked with the front 5 rows at floor level.
Ermintrude
This venue can only be accessed via stairs with a handrail (3 steps). The seating in the venue is raked.
Daisy
This venue can only be accessed via 2 flights of a standard set of stairs with a handrail (31 steps). The seating in the venue is raked.
Clover
This venue is accessible at ground level and can accommodate up to 2 manual or powered wheelchairs. The seating in the venue is all on one level.
Dairy Room
This venue is on the first floor and accessible via a lift. It can accommodate 1 manual or powered wheelchair. The seating in the venue is raked with the front row at floor level.
Jersey
This venue is at basement level and accessible via a lift. It can accommodate 1 manual or powered wheelchair. The seating in the venue is raked with the front 2 rows at floor level.
Friesian
This venue is at basement level and accessible via a lift. It can accommodate 1 manual or powered wheelchair. The seating in the venue is all on 1 level.
Dexter
This venue is at basement level and accessible via a lift. It can accommodate 1 manual or powered wheelchair. The seating in the venue is all on 1 level.
Box Office
The box office is located on the north-west side of Bristo Square at the junction between Bristo Place and Teviot Place. The box office has a lowered section of the counter on the right-hand side. A hearing loop is installed. Please ask a member of staff if you have any questions about this.
Food and Drink
The main bar in Bristo Square and the bar outside Cow Barn and McEwan have a low-level counter section. The food concessions do not have a lowered section of their counters, but staff are trained to assist all customers.
Toilet Facilities
There is an accessible toilet located within the main toilet are of the site in Bristo Square itself. The toilet unit is accessed by a shallow ramp. The door opens outwards and is wide enough for both manual and powered wheelchairs. Inside, there are fixed handrails and drop-down rails to assist with self-transfer between a wheelchair and the toilet. All handrails are colour-contrasting. There is a low-level sink installed. There are additional accessible toilets in Cow Barn and on the ground and basement levels of McEwan Hall.
The nearest Changing Places toilet facilities will be on Windmill Street, just off George Square. Opening times are still to be confirmed. Additional facilities can be found in the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street which is open from 10:00 to 17:00.
From 2-26 August there is a temporary Changing Places facility positioned on Middle Meadow Walk (outside Edinburgh Futures Institute), open 10:00 to 22:00.
Parking and Taxi Drop-off
There is limited on-street pay and display parking around Bristo Square, however this area gets very busy during the festival. The closest multi-storey car park is Q-Park Quartermile which has 10 accessible parking bays.
The closest taxi pick-up and drop-off points are on Potterrow (directly by Bristo Square) or the junction of Crighton Street and Chapel Street.
