E4 Udderbelly Festival at Southbank Centre returns this April for its longest season ever!

28th April – 17th July 2011 (Tickets on sale 24th February*)

Now in its 3rd year of grazing on the bank of the River Thames, Udderbelly has become an instantly recognisable and popular summer destination for Londoners and tourists alike.

The festival is arriving early this year to bring colour and sparkle to the heart of London with a programme of affordable comedy, cabaret, theatre and music, all taking place in one of the most unique and memorable locations in the UK. All comedy tickets are under £20.

The Magners Pasture, Udderbelly’s sunny beer garden, will be open for alfresco food and drink, with games to play, covered and open seating, heaters, TV screens and table service. Spring has sprung. The cow has landed. Where better to soak up the first few golden rays of sun but beside an upside-down purple bovine?

Headline acts for 2011 include ‘National Treasures’ Paul Daniels, Roy Walker and Jim Bowen, alongside JennyÉclair, Howard Marks, Gina Yashere, Spymonkey and Australia’s biggest comedian, Wil Anderson (The National Treasures Strand is part of Southbank Centre’s 60th anniversary of the 1951 Festival of Britain celebrations with MasterCard). New comedy talent is represented by cabaret superstars Frisky & Mannish, The Boy With Tape on His Face, Abandoman and Carl Donnelly amongst many others, There’s award-winning theatre, cabaret, music and family shows to dazzle and entertain in equal measure – whether you’re looking for afternoon/early evening entertainment for the whole family, a ‘mates night out’ to remember or simply the best outdoor bar in London, E4 Udderbelly Festival is the place to be.

Udderbelly Festival, together with Southbank Centre, will be celebrating the Royal Wedding in style on 29th April. Head to the Magners Pasture to sup champagne cocktails and watch the wedding live on big screens -or choose from a selection of Royal Wedding themed shows throughout the day. Let Ida Barr, the People’s Pensioner, lead you in an afternoon of wedding themed bingo and sing-a-longs. Or perhaps the The Alternative Royal Reception is more to your taste: a blue-blooded array of comedy and cabaret stars will be in attendance to help you party the night away (drinks discounts for all those attending in wedding frocks!).

In 1951, The Festival of Britain transformed the empty wasteland of London’s South Bank with temporary structures to amaze, astound and celebrate talent and creativity in Britain. E4 Udderbelly Festival at Southbank Centre feels very much part of that tradition and is proud to be part of Southbank Centre’s 60th anniversary celebrations of this landmark event in our nation’s history.

It’s been a grey, bleak winter – but spring will see the nation’s capital painted purple.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

* Full programme including Udderbelly Festival’s headline show to be announced in March.

Udderbelly Box Office:
0844 545 82 82 / udderbelly.co.uk

Release issued by: Udderbelly press office