Cabaret and variety shows planned as it takes over Soho's Boulevard Theatre

Edinburgh Fringe operator Underbelly is opening a permanent London base.

The company has taken over the 200-seat Boulevard Theatre in Soho, which has been closed since lockdown.

The site has a strong connection with comedy – as the Raymond Revue Bar it was the home of the Comic Strip troupe comprising Adrian Edmondson,  Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Peter Richardson, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Alexei Sayle in the early 1980s.

Underbelly Boulevard  –  which also includes a rehearsal room, late-night bar and a 100-cover restaurant – will open in September and stage cabaret, variety and musical shows.

It follows various pop-up venues the company has run in London, including its upside-down purple cow that was a fixture of the South Bank for several years, as well as locations in Earls Court and off Oxford Street.

Underbelly’s directors Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood said in a statement: ‘Not only does this mark a major milestone for Underbelly as our first permanent venue in London, but the venue is also perfectly suited to our style of programming and live entertainment ethos.  

‘We look forward to making Underbelly Boulevard a vital and captivating part of Soho’s already wonderful cultural offer and we can’t wait to share further details of what we’ve got in store in July.’

After closing in the 1990s, The Boulevard Theatre reopened in 2019 following a high-spec refit – which includes a balcony and stalls that can rotate – and briefly hosted Friday-night comedy gigs before Covid hit.

Fawn James, granddaughter of Soho Estates’ founder Paul Raymond and the current  owner of the site, said: "The Boulevard Theatre was a wonderful chance for me to amalgamate my love of the arts and my family’s long history with the area. Having invested heavily into reinstating the theatre in Walkers Court, it is hugely important to me that its legacy is continued with just as much care and dedication. 

‘I have a lot of passion and belief in this building and the heritage behind it, and I couldn’t be prouder to be passing this on to Underbelly and for the Boulevard to be their first permanent venue. Underbelly’s ethos fits perfectly with the history of the venue and I am incredibly excited to see them develop the Boulevard into the space it should be.’ 

Published: 8 Jun 2023