What's the worst lie you've told? How far would you go to keep it a secret? Tom is a charismatic people-pleaser, an expert in empathy, but someone who struggles with the truth. Join him in this hilariously honest solo show as he seeks to exorcise ghosts, confess his deepest darkest secrets and somehow un-f*ck his future.
As Tom begs the question, if I never lied again and was just myself, would any of my loved ones still love me? Catch Tom and their Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar of a show over at the Pleasance Courtyard this Festival Fringe.
Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show is?
Tom Moran is a Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar is, simply put, a very honest show about lying. It's in that really exciting confessional space of part theatre, part-stand-up comedy. One reviewer described it "like a Netflix comedy special", while in the same breath calling it, "The most searingly honest and moving show if the year". It's about a crazy lie I told as a child, that spiralled completely out of control, a lie I never admitted until literally last year. Until that is, I wrote a theatre show about it and finally came clean about it all. And essentially, it looks at how a child who lies grows into a man who still lies, but how the stakes get higher--drink, relationships, and sex--and how sometimes, to trust ourselves and learn to stop lying--we have to exorcise the source of that shame.
How does it feel coming to the Fringe?
This will be my first ever experience as a performer, though I've attended before as a very enthusiastic patron (27 shows in 2 and a half days because I have a very patient partner). I'm so excited to meet Edinburgh audiences from far and wide and see how the show connects. Lying, though, is a completely universal human thing, so I think this show will really resonate. It's very, very funny, and very, very emotional, and was written with this festival in mind.
There are over 3,000 shows at the Fringe. So, what sets your show apart?
The honesty. This show is a completely honest version of my life. And being honest, lots of parts that are hard to talk about. There's lots of stuff in there I wish people didn't know, but I also feel compelled to be honest. I suppose the journey of this show is something I'm really proud of. From funny to heartbreaking in an instant, that's the goal. And I think we achieve that, so yeah, I suppose the humour and the messiness of it all.
Is there anything specific you're hoping the audience will take away?
I hope an audience can take away a sense of compassion. Forgiveness of yourself, and for other people too. To accept that, yes, we all mess up, but none of us is defined by our worst moments. This show is about looking at your patterns, asking why you like, or feel the impulse to lie, and realising that before you can live an honest life, first you have to exorcise that shame. And whatever that shame or self-loathing you might feel, trust that you are enough and not alone.
Your ideal audience is in attendance, who's watching? Or more importantly – who isn't there…
This show is very joy seekers, for people who can withhold judgement, for people who embrace the messiness of life, for people who like to laugh, for people to like to cry, and for people who embrace the fullness of the human condition.
It's an intense month, so where you're able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?
I'm bringing my NutriBullet, so smoothies are my plan to stay healthy in both body and mind. And yes, there are so many shows I'm excited to catch. First of all, my hero, Mike Birbiglia is bringing his solo show, The Old Man and The Pool, so I can't wait to see that. And then so many truly brilliant Irish artists, too. Scaredy Fat, KING, Heaven, The Half Moon, Growler, Party Scene, Coffee Kid, Best Man, and so many more. It really is such a great programme!
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