Tomatoes
tried to Kill me
But Banjos Saved My Life

An Award Winning, Inspirational True Story
Keith Alessi playing a banjo

Accolades

Awards

Sold Out Run
Edinburgh Fringe
Pick of the Fringe
Mervyn Stutter's Pick
Edinburgh
Winner
Fringe Encore Series
New York City

Reviews & Press

British Theatre Review - Edinburgh Fringe
British Theatre Review - Edinburgh Fringe
August 16, 2023

Paul T Davies reviews Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life at Space @ Surgeon’s Hall as part of the Edinburgh Fringe.

Three Weeks Edinburgh Review
Three Weeks Edinburgh Review
August 8, 2023

I missed this show in 2022 and was keen to catch it early this year. Now an established international success, it’s a fine piece of American storytelling....

The Munro Review - Rogue Festival 2022
The Munro Review - Rogue Festival 2022
March 11, 2022

A banjo, the lean and kindly man tells us, draws a line to the past – back to circles of players whiling away pre-electric evenings in the Blue Ridge Mountains, back to the vestigial sound of bagpipes urging Scotsmen across a battlefield, back even to primeval times, with people sitting around campfires and vocalizing with grunts and hums.

Audience Feedback

A very touching performance, describing his own life and cancer journey. Very poignant, reminding us what is important, and a need to reflect on one's life. A must-see show!

Keith is a wonderful storyteller. I admire his ability to pinpoint and convey the "Big Bang" moments in his life to craft such a beautiful and moving narrative. His story is profoundly resonant and poignant- it had me still reflecting on my own life long after the show ended.

Keith Alessi tells his own story in a very beautiful way about his life and always looking forward through the windscreen, not in the rear view mirror. Highly recommended. We went to see it not sure what to expect but were highly rewarded.