Every year we present a selection of the top shows warming up before heading North to the Edinburgh Festival. Your ticket entitles you to see both full shows for less than the price of one in Edinburgh.
NOTE EARLIER START TIMES and any CHANGES to advertised running order.
1st show starts 8pm, 2nd show starts 9.15pm.
Check www.downstairsatthekingshead.com for details of who's on tonight.

Fiona Allen IS UNABLE TO APPEAR TONIGHT - APOLOGIES

Eli Matthewson: Blood Bender

Eli just became the first ever New Zealander to move to London, after applying for the "youth" visa on the last possible week he was eligible. He's ready to be a star and the only things in his way are his age and the impending apocalypse. From his brief ballet career to the lofty heights of performing at Dining In The Dark, Eli is ready to share it all to win you over... including the horrific story of his first visit to a gay sauna. **** (Chortle.co.uk). **** (Everything-Theatre.co.uk).

Eli Matthewson is the first ever New Zealander to move to London and he has done it right on time for the end of the world. Just as life was starting to feel safe and secure, he has thrown it all away and scraped into the UK on the last possible week he could qualify for the youth mobility visa. A show about doing everything you can to make something of yourself before society completely crumbles.

"Punchlines that whip back around like a tossed ponytail" - Theatreview
"That most generous of comedy things: a personal show that feels inclusive, offering a series of vignettes that invite introspection without ever getting preachy." ★★★★ - The Recs
"Smart, silly, and thoroughly entertaining." ★★★★ - EdFest Mag
★★★★ - Three Weeks
★★★★ Scotsman
★★★★ Chortle
★★★★ Voice Mag

Alistair Barrie: Rabbits Don't Fart

If you don't know by now that approximately 98% of comedians have been diagnosed with ADHD, you probably haven't been to watch much comedy recently. Luckily, the main symptom of Alistair Barrie's ADHD is an inability to pay attention to other comedians.

His new show was originally called 'Gobbledygook' as that was the word his mother used to describe neurodiversity, but then one day in the car his daughter suddenly stopped talking about how bin men park to say 'Rabbits don't fart', which seemed like a much better illustration of the subject.
And a lot funnier.
It's not that complicated really. There's nothing in the water. People are just trying to help their kids achieve their full potential and become useful members of society rather than, say, Masterchef presenters or President of the United States of America.

Come and see a work-in-progress on how the world is approaching, or running away from neurodiversity from 'one of the UK's sharpest comedians' (the Herald.)

"A no frills master of his craft' - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Scotsman
As heard on Radio 4 Pick of the Week and BBC Scotland's 'Breaking the News'.

www.alistairbarrie.com


Important Notes:
Bills may alter at late notice - check on www.downstairsatthekingshead.com for any last-minute changes.
There is no reserved seating Downstairs. We can seat 70 and have 10 standing spaces. Your ticket guarantees entry, but if you want a good seat, please be with us by the advertised door opening time.
Please bring evidence of booking (i.e; your confirmation email). On phone is fine - save trees!
You can book tickets up to 6pm on the day of the show. After then, any remaining tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis on the door at the advertised “doors open” time.
Also please note that, as an intimate venue, we discourage large group bookings, so tickets are limited on this show to a MAXIMUM of 4 per person.
We want everyone to enjoy the show. Please don’t talk during the performance and ensure your mobile phone is turned off. You will be required to leave without refund if your behaviour is disruptive. No recording in any medium is allowed without prior permission.
Intoxicated persons will not be admitted.
The use of E cigarettes is prohibited
Note we do not allow food downstairs. If you are planning on eating upstairs before the show, please allow plenty of time to finish before coming downstairs.