The cast of Keith Alessi’s show Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life, has performed their 100th show during their Fringe run.
Alessi donates all Fringe ticket sales to Summerhall Arts to support independent theatre venues and artists. Since 2023 the show has raised £750,000 overall and the 100,000th pound was raised in Edinburgh, so this production provides funds for artists which are considered vital.
The show is a true story telling Keith’s story from the corporate world to becoming a banjo player. He had received a cancer diagnosis and believes the show is testimony to the healing power of music.
Keith Alessi said: “When I came to Edinburgh in 2022, I never expected for this to happen. Much less at Summerhall. And they scheduled a solar eclipse to celebrate the occasion! Coincidence??”
Tom Forster, Summerhall Arts Fringe Programme Manager, said: “Only two artists in Summerhall history have celebrated their 100th performance with us in our short history, and we’re delighted to welcome Keith to the centurion club. There’s something absolutely remarkable about how this show keeps growing audiences of all ages and interests – it’s truly universal, and a testimony to how anyone from any background at the world’s largest open access festival can keep this trajectory going with just 4 banjos, 3 lighting states and 1 story.”
- Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life
- August 6, 2026 – August 31
- Time: 11:40 (70 mins )
- Venue: Tech Cube Zero
- Genre: Theatre
- Warnings: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes; discussions of cancer
