June 4, 2024 Theatre Weekly
Theatre Weekly - An Interview With Dave Chawner
Award-winning comedian, mental health campaigner and author Dave Chawner will return to Edinburgh Fringe 2024 with a brand new show, ‘6 Steps To Success From The “Award Winning” Dave Chawner’. Running from 1st August to 25th August at The Counting House, the afternoon show starting at 6:15pm is free and unticketed (pay on donation).Last year Dave won an award whose title felt like a back-handed compliment. That led to a crisis of confidence and an exploration of what ‘success’ really means; “After all, everybody gets Imposter Syndrome…right? We all feel like a teenager trapped in the body of an adult…don’t we?”. Alongside his work on the stage, Dave’s credits include hosting the BBC series ‘Tomorrow’s World’, appearing as a regular guest on ITV and Channel 4, and on prime shows including BBC Breakfast and Lorraine, which have made him a regular on Good Morning Britain.With ‘6 Steps To Success From The “Award Winning” Dave Chawner’, the comedian questions toxic positivity, asking; “Why is no one talking about this? And, why, if you do, are you made to feel like you’re the only one? Or (perhaps worse) you’re just told that you need to ‘manifest more’ or ‘to be more positive’”.The #1 best-selling author will answer these questions and more during the show, in which the “hilariously entertaining” comedian – as defined by Mail on Sunday – will share 6 steps to success, happiness, healthiness and complete fulfilment in life.Dave’s work as a suicide prevention trainer and ‘Lived Experience Researcher’ – working to improve NHS Mental Health services – has given him the tools to tackle weighty topics using his signature comedy style called “darkly funny” by Broadway World.Known for his “banter-rich performance” – according to the Edinburgh Reporter – alongside his “sharp, insightful, touching, but above all really, really funny,” material as described by Three Weeks Edinburgh – Dave’s impeccable zest for playing with words is well documented in his remarkable book, “Weight Expectations: One Man’s Recovery from Anorexia”.His first Edinburgh show, ‘Normally Abnormal’, used humour to explore his own experience with anorexia sensitively. Well-received by critics – a run of sold-out performances lead to a sold out UK tour and the recognition of its impact with an award The UK Eating Disorder Charity at The House of Parliament and the delivery of a viral TED Talk.Collaborating with academics from four of the most important public research universities in Britain, including King’s College London, Dave is developing a stand-up comedy course for mental health patients. Backed by the NHS, the project won an award from The British Academy. Click Here For Article