Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life ****

“Everyone has a story”, notes Keith Alessi, as he takes to the stage.

Alessi was a successful corporate CEO – so what’s he doing here with banjos and what’s with the homicidal tomatoes?

Growing up in a modest-income household, times were often hard for the Alessi family. Meat was a rarity and tomatoes became a staple of the family diet.

Alessi was a compulsive worker, though, saving enough money to put himself through university by taking on as many odd jobs as he could find.

He qualified as an accountant and led multiple companies across various American states and into Canada. He landed another role as CEO, but two weeks later, he was given the most devastating of medical diagnoses. His heartburn, caused by excessive tomato consumption, had developed into oesophageal cancer. He would have just one year to live.

Alessi’s family had overcome many obstacles in its time. His father was an Italian immigrant, who spoke no English on arrival aged eight, yet went on to graduate from university. This, though, was an obstacle of an altogether different magnitude.

After the initial shock, fear and confusion, Alessi took the decision to fight back. He underwent gruelling chemotherapy and a seven-hour operation. He was so weak that he was unable to pick up his 16-pound banjo.

Alessi had bought banjos over the years but never really taken to them, relegating them to cupboard storage. Confined to a hospital bed for a month after surgery, he decided to get them out and learn to play properly. That decision would help save his life. Through the banjo, Alessi discovered new connections and communities—and, perhaps to his own surprise, became rather adept at playing.

While originally a businessman and accountant by trade, Alessi has become a performer. There is a scattering of world class talent across Edinburgh at the Fringe, but he dismisses the notion of that perfectionism is the goal. It doesn’t matter if you are accomplished or not, what matters is that you play.

He is a natural storyteller. At times, rather than being party to a sold-out production, it feels like we’re just shooting the breeze with an old friend. He’s funny, charming and self-deprecating. There is also some lovely puppetry from director Erika Conway.

At the heart of Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life sits a story that is inspirational, uplifting and life affirming. There was a tear or two shed in the audience.

Towards the end, Alessi plays from Willie Nelson’s Still Not Dead “I woke up still not dead again today”. He returns every year to Edinburgh, inspiring people with his story and urging them to find their own, raising significant sums for charity in the process.

Long may that continue.

Summerhall, until 31^st August.