Edinburgh Fringe shows cancelled ‘due to bad weather’

A FLAGSHIP new circus venue for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has had its opening put back after falling victim to strong winds and a bad weather forecast over the next few days.

The new 'Lafayette' venue is the larger of two tented venues, designed to show circus acts. Picture: Contributed

Promoters Underbelly have been forced to cancel the launch of six different productions to be staged at its new venue “Lafayette” on the Meadows on Friday as they have been unable to get its roof into place.

It is the larger of two tented arenas at the new Circus Hub site after Underbelly won a bidding war to take over the site from the Ladyboys of Bangkok.

The 750-capacity venue, which will not be able to open until next Monday, is named after the famous German illusionist, The Great Lafayette, who perished in a fire at the Empire Theatre in Edinburgh in 1911.

Performers from Canada, Australia, France and the Czech Republic have travelled to perform at the venue. Underbelly has already been forced to locate its famous purple cow venue this year due to building works in Bristo Square.

Staff at Underbelly and the Fringe’s own box office, which has also been selling tickets, are having to contact ticket-holders for the first three days of performances to offer them alternative dates during the run. However performances in the smaller venue, “The Beauty,” will go ahead as normal from Friday.

A statement from Underbelly directors Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam said: “Due to issues with strong wind gusts in Edinburgh today and with further winds forecast over the next couple of days, we have been prevented from putting the cover on Lafayette, the larger tent structure, on schedule.

“As a result we have made the decision to delay the opening of the shows in Lafayette until Monday next week.

“Those who cannot reschedule their visit to Circus Hub will be given a full refund.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and customers requesting a refund or with any other queries about their ticket should contact the point of sale from which they bought their tickets.”