Underbelly Boulevard Soho announces closure

Underbelly has announced the closure of Underbelly Boulevard Soho.

Formerly known as the Boulevard Theatre, Underbelly has ended its lease early on the Soho venue.

Their run will end on 10 January 2027. Ahead of that, the venue will showcase its Edinburgh Festival Fringe transfer season in September, the London premiere of Off-Broadway musical parody Heated Rivalry in October and the return of circus show Sophie’s Surprise Christmas Party to see out the tenure.

Underbelly was chosen to take on the lease for the building by its owner, Soho Estates, and their tenure began in October 2023. Across the three years, the venue has hosted over 1700 performances with artists including Steven Frayne (Dynamo), Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Michael McIntyre, Self Esteem, David Letterman, John Bishop, John Cleese, James Acaster, National Youth Theatre, Flo and Joan, Kiefer Sutherland, and Phil Wang.

Underbelly directors, Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, said: “It goes without saying that we’re incredibly sad at having to make this difficult decision, but we’re also immensely proud of everything that our amazing Underbelly team have achieved and built together. We gave it our best shot, with a wonderful and varied programme, two delicious and collaborative restaurant operators in Kitty Fisher’s and Artusi, and of course a stunning and intimate venue in the heart of Soho. But ultimately, the costs associated with the venue versus its size, and the wider economic challenges facing the sector, have proved a challenge we can’t quite surmount. Sometimes you just have to hold your cow-shaped hands up and accept it. That said, this decision will allow us to focus on a number of other exciting, Underbelly-imbued, theatrical and venue projects in development alongside our existing range of productions, festivals and events.”

“We still have six brilliant months ahead of us at Underbelly Boulevard and we’re determined to go out with a bang.”

The directors also paid tribute to everyone who has helped make the venue what it is, saying: “None of this would have been possible without our extraordinary team at Boulevard, Underbelly HQ, the producers and artists who trusted us with their work, our collaborators and partners, and of course the audiences who filled the venue with energy, curiosity and generosity. We are very grateful to Soho Estates for the opportunity to be given the keys to such a wonderful venue and we wish them the very best in finding a new custodian for such an amazing theatre.”

The last performance at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho will be on 10 January 2027.