Preview: Udderbelly @ Southbank Centre

Rachel Holdsworth
By Rachel Holdsworth Last edited 178 months ago
Preview: Udderbelly @ Southbank Centre

udderbelly.jpg You've probably seen the adverts and may be thinking it's a load of overhyped bull, but we're here to tell you that Udderbelly has some rather brilliant acts on during its eight week pasture in London. The giant, upside-down, purple cow opens its... actually, we don't want to think what it opens, but for now we'll say 'doors', on 27 May with a 30 quid (ouch) performance from Joan Rivers.

In our opinion, some of the comedy highlights are Arthur Smith (7 July), if.commedie award winner David O'Doherty (2 July), the much-talked-about Maxwell's Fullmooners comedy show (19 June), Josie Long and friends (including Pappy's Fun Club) on 8 July, Andy Zaltzman's Political Animal (4 June, 9 July) and Reginald D Hunter (11-12 July).

You can catch a mix of circus antics and thumping music with the Tom Tom Crew, poet and playwright Lemn Sissay telling you why he doesn't hate white people and OAP hip-hopper Ida Barr hosting bingo afternoons. There's stuff for the kids too; we like the sound of Yarnbirds (29-31 May), improvised family comedy from Richard Vranch and Leisa Rea.

There's room for just 400 people inside the cow's belly, so don't spend too long ruminating on which show to see: tickets are bound to be remooved from the box office quickly.

Udderbelly runs from 27 May until 19 July, between the London Eye and Hungerford Bridge. For more information see the Udderbelly or Southbank Centre websites.

Last Updated 22 May 2009