Performer in his Seventies Looks at Ageing in New Solo Clownish Show YOUNG
Performer Gerry Carroll, who took his first steps in comedy at the age of 60, brings his new solo show YOUNG to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. A clownesque comedy with singing and a bit of dancing, the show explores what it means to grow old by weaving together the ancient legend of the Land of the Young, fragments of musical numbers, and stories from Gerry’s own seventy-three years.
“My life’s been very ordinary, but is any life ordinary?” he asks. “The old legend of the Land of the Young shows a hero having an extraordinary adventure, but we’re all heroes, aren’t we?” The result is a mix of nostalgia, stand-up, visual humour, and storytelling that Gerry writes, directs, and performs entirely solo. A “clownish” show, he says, is one that has elements of clown in it, like the shot-glasses gag that he’s so proud of. And a song about poo.
Gerry has noticed his shows attract audiences of all ages, which is part of why he wanted to make a show about growing older, something “we all feel, whatever our official age is.” Since starting out at 60, he has done short course with Spymonkey and Elf Lyons, and other leading clown and comedy teachers and performers. He has written and performed several solo shows since his 2016 debut. For Gerry, the appeal lies in connecting with audiences and building a little community, one show at a time.
“Charmingly defiant.” – Chortle: The UK Comedy Guide
“The performance was truly full of joy” – Audience review.
Listings information
YOUNG
Venue: Just the Tonic, The Attic, The Mash House, 37 Guthrie Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JG
Dates: 6–30 August 2026 (not 18th)
Time: 2.40pm (55 minutes)
