Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life

Tuesday 16th March

7.30pm

£17.50* (all seats)

 

Everyone has a story. Your stories matter.

 

Keith Alessi was neither a performer nor a musician before taking to the stage. He was an accountant and corporate CEO. Now, following highly acclaimed international tours and appearances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Keith shares his unconventional true story of overcoming extraordinary obstacles, including cancer, and how the healing power of music brought him back home to himself.

 

The grassroots sound of the banjo lures you in and carries you back to a simpler time, as Keith takes audiences on an intimate and deeply human journey through his life. This show has been highly awarded and reviewed while touring internationally and has profoundly affected audiences everywhere. Themes of forgiveness and the importance of pursuing your passions resonate throughout.

 

The variety of banjos that join Keith on stage are characters in their own right, each having played an important role in his journey. This is more than a show — it’s a cause.

 

Keith has never accepted any form of remuneration for his performances, instead choosing to donate all income to the venues he performs in. For this performance, all income will be donated directly to The Corn Hall Diss, helping to support its community reach and cultural work. As of January 2026, this work has raised over $1.2 million CAD for these causes. For this, we say "thank you".

 

“Storytelling at its best!” — Playbill

“Be ready to laugh and weep in equal measure.” — North West End UK

 

Join as a Friend and enjoy exclusive discounts, priority booking, and special offers. Your support helps us deliver performances, exhibitions, workshops, and inclusive activities for all ages. Be part of something special in Diss and beyond.

 

As a charity, we rely on donations to fund our community programmes like Time With Friends Dementia Café, Start With Arts, Saturday Club, and more. We receive no regular funding from the District Council or Arts Council England, so every gift — big or small — helps us continue thriving. Thank you for supporting The Corn Hall.

 

We’re committed to making your visit comfortable. Access seating, companion tickets, and access concessions are available to customers who hold a valid Nimbus Access Card. If you do not already have a card, you can apply directly via the Nimbus Access Card application form: https://app.accesscard.online/apply/access-card/form/. Please contact the Box Office to register your card with your account. Advance booking is essential for wheelchair spaces. Please note that, due to fire safety regulations, we can accommodate a maximum of two wheelchair users per performance, so we strongly recommend booking as early as possible.

 

Approx. run time 90 minutes excluding an interval

Seating for this show is sold as unallocated

*Includes booking fee

Age guide 14+

People aged 17 and under needs to be accompanied by someone 18+