EDINBURGH 2026: Review: TOMATOES TRIED TO KILL ME BUT BANJOS SAVED MY LIFE, Summerhall
Keith Alessi returns to Summerhall with a warm, life-affirming tale of overcoming terminal odds through music.
There is an unmistakable warmth that fills Tech Cube Zero the moment Keith Alessi takes the stage. Returning to the Fringe, Alessi’s autobiographical solo show recounts a life split cleanly in two: first, a high-flying career as a corporate CEO driven by relentless forward momentum, and second, the sudden wall of a terminal diagnosis that left him facing grim odds and a limited window to live.
At its core, this is a deeply wholesome story about resilience and finding purpose through music. Equal parts motivational talk and mini-music history lesson, Alessi blends personal survival anecdotes with fascinating detours into banjo lore and traditional roots. He is a disarmingly personable host who uses deadpan restraint and self-deprecating humor to lighten what could easily be heavy territory.
Where the piece lands structurally is less in the realm of traditional drama and more akin to an earnest keynote with live musical accompaniment. While the staging remains entirely understated, the banjo serves as the show's true narrative spine. The instrument is not a decorative prop; it is the physical symbol of deferred passion and ultimate healing. When Alessi plays, the music feels less like a performance showcase and more like the very force keeping him grounded and moving forward.
His journey of dusting off long-shelved dreams and finding community through song is genuinely moving. The piece may lean heavily into the format of an inspirational address, but its heart is entirely undeniable. It serves as a gentle, resonant reminder that it is never too late to unbox the things we love.
Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life plays at Summerhall (Tech Cube Zero) until 31 August.
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