“A genuine original…Poetical, philosophical, humane, completely charming and funny to boot” Paul Fleckney, The Guardian
“He is entirely compelling to watch…I’m not entirely sure what it is but it’s great and it wallops you in the belly” Daniel Kitson
“We need him” Kate Copstick, The Scotsman
Rob Auton returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to perform his seventh consecutive hour, The Talk Show at Just The Tonic’s Fancy Room from 2nd -26th August at 6.10pm. Putting his own familiarity of isolation as a touring comedian under the microscope, experiences including encounters with Jehovah’s witnesses, the post office and hours at his kitchen table are documented as Rob explores how time on his own has changed the way he talks.
Through his command for words and offbeat humour, Rob has built a cult Fringe following for his shows exploring seemingly mundane subjects: hair, sleep, water, faces, the sky and the colour yellow. Last year at the festival, Rob played The Hair Show to packed rooms, enjoyed critical acclaim including picking up Three Weeks’ Editor’s Choice Award and performed part of his hour at the BBC curated Best Of Edinburgh 2017.
Alongside The Talk Show, Rob is set to star in Frank Skinner’s DEBUT play at the Pleasance Queen Dome from 1st-26th August at 2.50pm. Produced by BBC Arts and Avalon, Nina’s Got News tells the story of Nina’s truly incredible news, how her ex-boyfriend and her best friend react to it, and whether they can possibly believe her. The piece is part of a new initiative encouraging writers who have never written for the stage before to step out of their comfort zone and write their first play.
Rob has recently recorded a set on Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Central With Rob Delaney, adding to broadcast credits including performing on Sky One’s The Russell Howard Hour, Sky Arts’ Festival No. 6 and Channel 4’s Random Acts. In 2017, Rob released his third collection of writing and drawing, Take Hair with Burning Eye Books, adding to Petrol Honey and In Heaven The Onions Make You Laugh. In 2016, he released spoken word album At Home With Rob on Scroobius Pip’s record label Speech Development Records. Rob’s unique world view has also been acknowledged through being shortlisted for the prestigious Spoken Word Award by the Arts Foundation and taking on Glastonbury Festival’s official ‘Poet in Residence’ role.
In 2013, Rob won the Dave Funniest Joke of The Fringe award with a gag about Chinese Wispas. On the day the news broke, he spoke to Vanessa Feltz on BBC Radio 2; the conversation resulted in her saying, “that’s just sad” a quote that will stick with him forever.
What The Press Said About The Hair Show
“Auton is a generous, charming performer, with a strong fan base, but if you’re new to his work, ‘The Hair Show’ is an excellent start. It’s a warm, wonderful hour that proves there’s no one quite like him” ★★★★ The List
“A totally captivating stage presence and a set brimming with clever material about something many of us have (but few of us ever think about) helps him makes his mark as a unique, analytical and, of course, extravagantly bearded comedian” ★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
One To Watch – ★★★★ Fest Magazine, Editor’s Award winner – ★★★★ Three Weeks, ★★★★ Broadway Baby
★★★★ Fresh Fringe ★★★★ Dark Chat
“The Hair Show’ is delightful, funny and unique, and underlines Auton’s talent” Chortle
“His delicate turn of phrase is a delight to hear and he has a truly unique voice, which, among the hundreds of acts at the Fringe, is no mean feat” – Recommended Show British Comedy Guide
Included in ‘Best Jokes of the Fringe’ The I
For more information and press tickets, please contact: Victoria Wedderburn at vwedderburn@avalon-entertainment.com or edinburghpress@avalon-entertainment.com / 0207 598 7222
