Who we are
Ed Bartlam
Your hosts at Underbelly are Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, the two principal directors.
Ed Bartlam
Ed founded Underbelly whilst still at Edinburgh University. He had produced a number of shows at Edinburgh University and before. Ed discovered the original Underbelly venue when he was the Producer for Double Edge Drama, a company which has been very successful at the Fringe since 1991. Since graduating he has worked full time for the Underbelly.
Charlie Wood
Charlie Wood
Prior to founding Underbelly, Charlie had been the assistant director at the Kings Head Theatre, London. He attended Edinburgh University many years ago where he directed and produced a number of productions. Before that he directed a number of plays at school where he founded Double Edge Drama with Tom Page. Charlie has recently given up his well-paying full-time job as a lawyer to work as a low-paid skivvy for Underbelly.
Tom Page
Tom is the third director of the Underbelly, but assumes a non-executive role. Tom also has a day job outside Underbelly, as a lawyer in London, but he designs and maintains this website and can occasionally be seen hanging around the Underbelly during the Festival. Unfortunately having a day job and a wife and two children means he does not get to stick around for the whole three weeks. Tom co-founded Double Edge Drama with Charlie in 1991 and has produced and tour managed many shows at school and university.
Brett Vincent
Brett has recently joined Underbelly from Bound and Gagged. He is a director of Underbelly's new subsidiary, Underbelly Promotions Limited, and is responsible for running the new promotions and artist management division of Underbelly.
Dave Watson
Dave is our technical manager. He can usually be seen wearing shorts!
Kenny Easson
Kenny is the venue's production manager. He is a true techie, a wonder with a saw and screws and even has the ponytail to prove it.
David Michel
David joined Underbelly in 2003 as Box Office Manager. This tall Aussie was promoted in 2006 to Venues General Manager, freeing up Ed and Charlie to spend some more time on new venues and ventures.
Penny Sims
Penny was our Edinburgh Press and Marketing Manager for the third year in succession in 2006. She runs an efficient, friendly press office based in Underbelly, Cowgate and takes pride in knowing all about the various and companies and shows appearing at Underbelly venues.
Owen O'Leary
Joseph Page
Owen joined Penny as joint Press and Marketing Manager in 2006 and became an invaluable member of the team, helped by a former job at the Fringe Press Office.
Joseph Page
Joseph is the youngest member of the management team, but can already seen proudly wearing his fringe shirt and discussing sponsorship opportunities on his mobile phone.