Blackbox

Blackbox runs at Underbelly Cowgate from 5 to 30 August 2026, using stage illusion to tell the story of Henry ‘Box’ Brown’s escape from slavery in 1849.

The production is structured as a play disguised as a magic show, with each illusion tied to a different part of Brown’s journey towards freedom.

Key Event Details

What To Expect

Brown escaped slavery in Virginia by having himself shipped in a wooden crate to abolitionists in Philadelphia.

Blackbox turns that extraordinary journey into the central theatrical device, using boxes that appear, disappear, open, and break apart as the story moves through confinement, family, faith, loss, and resistance.

Andy Jordan Productions and Hindsight Productions present the 60-minute show. Gospel-influenced sound and illusion are used alongside the historical narrative rather than treating the escape as a standalone trick. Underbelly gives the production a 14+ guideline.

Tickets & Entry

Underbelly lists tickets on sale, with prices and availability varying by date. See the official ticket page for the latest status, prices, and performance dates.

Location

The show takes place at Underbelly Cowgate, Belly Button, 66 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JX. For general venue information, see our Underbelly Cowgate directory listing.

Getting There

Underbelly Cowgate is at 66 Cowgate in the Old Town. The venue contains several performance rooms, and Blackbox is in Belly Button. The Cowgate sits below South Bridge and the Royal Mile, so allow time for Edinburgh’s Old Town levels and festival crowds.

Our Tips

• Look for Belly Button inside the Cowgate complex.
• The room is reached by a flight of stairs, according to Underbelly’s access information.
• Ticket prices vary across the run, so check your chosen date on the official page.

Show information was checked against the official event listing.