Tony Burgess: Crimbo Christmas, 2003.
What a proper mad one.
Tragic? Tick
Messy? Tick
And then Tony had to adopt his 10 year old autistic nephew, without knowing much about real life himself.
After 24 years on the comedy circuit, penning his own highly acclaimed projects as well as writing contributions for others, Mancunian comedian Tony Burgess finally makes his Edinburgh Fringe début.
Many people’s family Christmases are dramatic, big northern Catholic family ones especially so, but Tony’s family Crimbo 2003 was one they wouldn’t
forget.
His tale is by turns heartbreaking, uplifting, and – in the hands of this accomplished comedian – of course very, very funny. Within his show Tony
addresses the little discussed problems of those who cope with the
effect of family members suffering from severe mental illness in what
is ultimately a life affirming story of survival.
Yet there is plenty here to enjoy as, filtered though his wry Mancunian charm, Tony takes an affectionate and humorous look at his family and their
idiosyncrasies.
Tony has had a prolific career over two and a half decades. His talent was spotted early on with successes in the North West Comedian of the Year (winner) and So You Think You’re Funny? (runner up) competitions and he has subsequently gigged extensively all over the UK and the rest of the world.
He wrote material for the first two series of BBC’s Ideal as well as playing the lead character Moz’s (Johnny Vegas) DJ brother Troy, who lived in the airing cupboard.
His plays, Fire Salad and Doorway, premièred at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.
Tony has also written for many big name comedians including Steve Coogan (Paul and Pauline Calf’s Cheese and Ham Sandwich), Johnny Vegas (the Sony award winning radio comedy Nightclass and Who’s Ready For Ice Cream?), Lily Savage, and John Bishop (John Bishop’s Britain). Tony even managed to get a writing credit on Wallace and Gromit’s The Curse of the Were Rabbit, so his kids now believe that he’s got a proper job.
Tony Burgess: Crimbo, August 5-26, Free Fringe, 6.15pm, 55mins, Sneaky Pete’s, 73 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JW 0131 225 1757.
