Jim Campbell Brings His Show BEEF To The Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Earlier this year Jim Campbell very nearly killed a puppy. It wasn't a deliberate act - he was dog-sitting and lost control of said puppy - before it ran into a very busy road. However, if it had died he would definitely have been responsible.

Having spent the last two years surmounting a nervous breakdown, chronic anxiety and self-doubt, it really would have been the worst time to kill a dog.

As the adorable mutt ran closer to each swerving car, Jim began to consider his wretched new life as 'The Idiot Who Killed a Puppy', before a heroic cyclist scooped up the errant dog and deposited him safely onto the pavement.

But it could have all been so different. As an anxious over-thinker, being on the right side of this Sliding Doors moment made Jim realise just how much time he's wasted fantasising about things he can't change; daydreaming about how much better his life would be if he could only have a second go at living specific moments. Not the hallmark of a healthy mind.

Then there's the small matter of a family curse. On February 13th 1697, the Campbell Clan, from which Jim directly descends, caused outrage across Scotland when staying with the MacDonald Clan up the road in Glencoe.

Rather awkwardly, they murdered 38 members of their hosts in their beds on the orders of the English crown. The incident earned them a reputation as mad, treacherous backstabbers and even inspired Game of Thrones' notorious Red Wedding.

Since then, the Campbells have been said to be cursed, and given that all the men in Jim's family are quick tempered lunatics - albeit in Jim's case masquerading as a mild-mannered presenter of a popular football podcast - there's every chance that the curse is coming for him next...

Join Jim for an hour of fast-paced, gag-heavy humour as he tries to find some peace of mind among a near death experience (for an oblivious dog), insecurity-fuelled fantasy worlds and an ancient curse that could well become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Tackling a problem that plagues many of us, the show presents a frank and personal attempt to overcome over-thinking by embracing it; to turn insecurity into self acceptance and anger into passion.

This is Jim's fifth solo show at the Fringe. His first show (in 2012) was nominated for the Amused Moose Laughter Award and his last show, Trampoline, received strong reviews.

He is also an integral part of the team behind the podcasting behemoth that is The Football Ramble. Soon to embark on a world tour, the show is a global phenomenon and is one of the world's most popular football podcasts, having been downloaded over 65 million times.

Jim Campbell: Beef will be at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 1st - 24th August (not 12th). Tickets and more information: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/jim-campbell-beef.

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