Directed by Esther Manito
Edinburgh Fringe, 31st July – 26th August at 4pm (excludes 19th August)
Gilded Balloon, Patter House: TICKETS
“Could sniff the vodka from plinth” – Helen Lederer
“Elliott commands the stage…delivery is charming (with) quality call backs…an animated, high-energy performance” – A Spy In The Stalls
Comedian, actor and writer KATE-LOIS ELLIOTT shares self-deprecating and unexpectedly profound stories. Her 2023 debut stand-up show, Gentrif*cked, sold out at the VAULT Festival, followed by a successful mini tour.
This year, rising star Kate-Lois Elliott will make her Ed Fringe debut with HOW TO BELONG WITHOUT JOINING A CULT. The show centres around the true story of Kate’s family, who were brought up in a secretive cult until her mum escaped as a teenager. One generation later, in a completely unrelated set of events, a teenage Kate finds herself in the clutches of an equally toxic, controlling, and militant operation… you know, just your average group of teenage girls… Because, as it turns out, cults are everywhere.
Now, Kate is confronting her aversion to friendship cliques, discovering that she no longer gives a damn what anyone else thinks (sort of), and trying to figure out why it’s so impossibly hard to exit a WhatsApp group with your dignity intact. The show is about enemies, frenemies and how everyone just wants to fit in (without joining a cult).
How To Belong Without Joining A Cult explores themes of group mentality in modern life – from school friendship groups and class systems to families and Fitness First.
Kate-Lois Elliott’s acting credits include the Arcola’s multiple award-winning dark comedy Clarion (starring Greg Hicks and Clare Higgins), Loserville: In Concert (West End), and The Serpent’s Tooth (Almeida). Kate was also one of the original members of Edinburgh Fringe favourite NOTFLIX and has been featured on the BBC and Netflix. Kate is also the co-host of Diversify Podcast, whose guests include Ria Lina, Kai Samra, Maisie Adam, Tez Ilyas, and that guy from Dr Who.
Tour Dates
11th July – Tunbridge Wells Fringe
13th July – 2Northdown, London
31st July – 26th August (exc 19th) – Ed Fringe – Gilded Balloon, Patter House, 4pm
British Writers’ Guild Award Nominee – Best Online Comedy 2022
British Comedy Guide Talent Awards for Performance Finalist 2022
Funny Women Nominee Content Creator Award 2021
Brighton Fringe Staff Bursary Winner 2023
West End New Comedian of the Year Finalist 2023
Merky Books New Writers Prize Longlist 2021
Komedia New Comedian Semi-Finalist 2024
“A rising star” – Hayley Macenzie (Script Angel)
“Zeitgeisty” – BBC Radio
”Such funny business from this one. Carry on like this and she’ll be buying a house, which is great but it’ll ruin my favourite of her jokes” – Jessica Fostekew