Article Source: Underbelly
Last Updated: 9 August 2024 15:49
DARA Ó BRIAIN, MILTON JONES, ROSE MATAFEO, ANGELA BARNES AND MORE BIG NAMES IN COMEDY JOIN THE LINE UP FOR UNDERBELLY’S BIG BRAIN TUMOUR BENEFIT
Tuesday 13 August, 7.20pm
McEwan Hall, Underbelly Bristo Square
• So far, Underbelly has raised over £110,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity from these benefits alone, including nearly £20,000 at the last Fringe benefit in 2023.
• Dara Ó Briain, Milton Jones, Rose Matafeo, Angela Barnes, Ian Smith, Carl Donnelly, Kanan Gill, Amy Gledhill are confirmed to appear in this year’s show with more guests to be announced soon.
• The show was created by Underbelly in 2017 following the diagnosis of an aggressive and rare form of brain cancer called Ependymoma in Alfie Bartlam, the son of Underbelly’s co-founder Ed Bartlam. In the end of August in 2019, Alfie sadly died, aged 7.
• Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and adults under 40. They shorten life expectancy by an average of 27 years, the most of any cancer. Despite this, brain tumour research is more underfunded compared to many other cancers.
100% of the box office income is being donated directly to The Brain Tumour Charity, the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.
Starring in this year’s show will be:
• Irish comedy legend Dara Ó Briain
• King of the one-liners Milton Jones
• Kiwi Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner and tv actress Rose Matafeo
• UK tv star and stand up comedian Angela Barnes
• 2023 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show nominee and BBC Radio 4’s Ian Smith
• Indian comedy super star Kanan Gill
• Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Amy Gledhill
• And our MC will be Fringe favourite Carl Donnelly
All money raised via ticket sales and in donations on the night goes to The Brain Tumour Charity – a cause which is very close to Underbelly’s heart. Co-Founder of Underbelly, Ed Bartlam’s, son Alfie was just 4 years old when he was diagnosed with a form of aggressive brain cancer in 2016 and sadly died three days after the end of the Fringe in 2019.
Research into brain tumours is significantly underfunded in the UK compared to other cancers, despite being the leading cancer killer for those under 40. Each year, over 11,400 people in the UK are diagnosed with a brain tumour - meaning 31 families face the devastation of this diagnosis every day.
Ed Bartlam, Underbelly’s co-founder said: “I’m delighted that we are announcing another superb line up for Underbelly’s sixth Big Brain Tumour Benefit show at the Edinburgh Fringe. We have raised over £110,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity since our first show in 2017, and we cannot thank both the comedians and the audiences enough for their support so far.
“My wife and I are raising £1.5M for the charity to fund a specific paediatric brain tumour research and new treatment project based in Cambridge. We’re doing this through a range of fundraising events and this annual Fringe show is a vital part of that. Call me biased, but this show is an amazing evening of comedy for the very best of causes. So please buy a ticket!”
Hannah Bowler, Corporate Partnership Manager at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We are thrilled that the Big Brain Tumour Benefit comedy gig is returning this year, for its sixth show, and we are incredibly grateful for our amazing partners, Underbelly, for their ongoing support in raising crucial funds for research and awareness of the devastating impact of brain tumours.
“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts. We can only work towards our goal of helping people with a brain tumour live longer and better lives with the support from people like Ed, Charlie and the truly incredible Underbelly team.”
To book tickets for Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit, please visit:
underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/underbellys-big-brain-tumour-benefit-2024
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
The Forth Awards, presented by Livingston Designer Outlet, crowned the very best of Edinburgh and the East last night at a star-studded award ceremony.
READ MORE
King Pins is announcing a new bowling and activity venue opening in Waverley Bridge in Edinburgh in early 2026.
READ MORE
This November, locals with an EH postcode can enjoy 25% off food and drinks until 5pm, Sunday to Friday, plus 25% off in retail at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Portraits by Frans Hals, Titian and Parmigianino are among eight of the finest paintings from Buckingham Palace to go on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse from today.
READ MORE
Roti King is making its first move outside England, heading north to the foodie capital of Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Harvey Jones, specialists in hand-crafted beautifully designed kitchens and luxury furniture for the home, has opened its doors to its newly refurbed Edinburgh showroom.
READ MORE
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORE
Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).
READ MORE
Edinburgh-based Code The Court has unveiled a new attic floor of signature boutique hotel rooms, marking a major next step for the landmark venue overlooking the historic Parliament Square.
READ MORE
Lost Shore Surf Resort has firmly established itself as one of Scotland’s most exciting tourism success stories, already generating an £18 million boost to the Scottish economy.
READ MORE
From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.
READ MORE
The National Galleries of Scotland has acquired Sir Grayson Perry’s The American Dream for the people of Scotland.
READ MORE
Step aboard and unwrap the magic of The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh's Port of Leith this Christmas.
READ MORE
Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!
READ MORE
From today until the 15th of December, Tesco’s Edinburgh Hermiston Gate Superstore is holding a collection for new and unwrapped toys for the Salvation Army’s Toy Appeal.
READ MORE
From 5 star stays to chef’s table feasts and afternoon tea with bubbles, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh offers unforgettable experiences at unbeatable value this Black Friday.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.
READ MORE
To mark World Kindness Day, the team at Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) is encouraging more people to show compassion, unity and kindness to others through voluntary work.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.
READ MORE
Free face-to-face energy support comes to Edinburgh as nearly a third still don’t seek help when struggling with bills.
READ MORE
Monday 10th November : Wingstop UKI, the restaurant brand that doesn’t play when it comes to flavour, today opens its first site in Livingston.
READ MORE
This week, Flight Club, the lively cocktail and Social Darts bar, is launching a brand-new game, available to play in all venues for the first time on Friday, 14th November.
READ MORE
The countdown to this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions has begun, with the much-loved Christmas Markets in East Princes Street Gardens opening this Saturday 15 November.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.
READ MORE
Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.
READ MORE
Collective announces an unmissable programme of exhibitions for 2026, spotlighting ambitious new projects by artists who have developed their practice in Scotland.
READ MORE
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has welcomed four-year-old female cheetah Domino to Edinburgh Zoo from Zoo de Cerza, France.
READ MORE
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORE