Adam Bromley: Irrational Optimist is a comedy show about how the end of the world might be nigh, but it always helps to have a positive attitude.
Adam was a catastrophist: he’d leave his flat and worry that he’d left the gas on and the place would burn down. He’d hurry back, fearing the worst, only to remember the kitchen hob was induction. Every time he took a car journey, there would be a nagging fear it would end in a devasting pile-up, a train journey would end in derailment, a plane journey would feature a traumatic experience. The disasters didn’t happen. Yes, trains broke down, one plane’s flaps failed returning from Turkey and Adam led a passenger revolt to get a different flight, but it was still better than he feared.
The anxiety didn’t stop Adam functioning in the world, though he self-medicated with drugs, alcohol and obsessional exercise. The intense bouts of exercise were to offset the drugs and alcohol, which he also worried would cause an early death.
Then something truly awful did happen, ironically something Adam had never even contemplated. But the world didn’t end things got very bad and then they got better.
This show is a comedy journey from catastrophism to irrational optimism. What’s irrational about optimism? Check out the news. The planet’s heating up, Western culture is declining, birth rate is collapsing. In summary, we’re toast. But who doesn’t like toast. Adam explores his own fears, anxieties and new-found optimism. Banish the gloom with this celebration of the power of positivity.