I have caught up with Tom Johnson ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe 2026 to find out more about his show.

When and where are you performing at the Fringe this year?
Armageddon Outta Here
The Saloon Bar at Westside Rodeo (Just the Tonic)
6th–17th August, 12pm (Noon)
Pay What You Want.

What was the inspiration for your show?
I did a show called Verbal Diary where I played a bumbling but fundamentally decent bloke. Afterwards I wanted to do something completely stupid and energetic where I could play absolute cowards, idiots and vicious little bastards with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. More than anything, I just wanted to do a show that makes people laugh.
From that came Armageddon Outta Here: an alternative sketch show about civilisation beginning to unravel, the polite mask slipping, and humanity showing its true colours. I’m crap at writing blurbs, but really, it’s just me and Rob being very loud, very stupid, and attempting stunts that probably shouldn’t be tried in a licensed premises.

Have you performed at any other Fringe Festivals before embarking on Edinburgh?
We’ve just come from the main stage at the Rik Mayall Comedy Festival, where we had a full-on brawl with hammers and cricket bats while a 24-piece brass band played behind us. Before that, we sold out our first preview in Southend, where the show ended with burlesque.

Have you been given any advice or help from performers or creatives who have previously been to the Edinburgh Fringe?
I briefly met the American actor Jeremy Piven, who told me to always have egg mayo on the go to keep cool. Looking back, I think he was just trying to make me stink.

What is the best piece of advice about working in theatre you have received?
Paul Bradley once said something that’s stuck with me: “Don’t let anyone else spend your money.” I’ve taken that on board. I try to spend other people’s instead.

Are you planning on seeing any shows this year? If so, do you have recommendations?
I’ll be catching John Otway & Attila the Stockbroker’s Cheryl: A Rock Opera at Bannerman’s. Calum Baird always puts on something worth seeing, Stolen Table do daft mucking about, and Su Mi has a punk/clown show about stereotypes surrounding Asian women that I’m looking forward to seeing.

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/armageddon-outta-here