A Cat in a Box is a new show by comedian and actor Tom Nemec for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. It is a deeply personal, darkly humorous solo play that explores love, loss, and hope growing up in a dysfunctional, alcoholic family.
Where: theSpaceUK (Surgeons Hall)
When: 7-15 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/a-cat-in-a-box
What can you tell us about your show?
A Cat in a Box is an autobiographical solo play about growing up in a rotten, dysfunctional childhood, surviving it, and eventually finding a way to tell the truth about it. It is personal, but it is not a lecture or a therapy session. It is darkly funny, honest, and human.
What is it about and where did the idea come from?
The show is about my childhood, family dysfunction, survival, recovery, and finding your own voice.
The idea came from my own life. This story is about my rotten, dysfunctional childhood that I have been dragging behind me my whole life. Eventually I realized I had to stop, pull it in, and share my story so I could understand it all better. It really is healing.
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?
A Cat in a Box is a darkly funny and deeply personal solo play about growing up in a chaotic family, surviving it, and finding a voice after years of silence. It is raw, honest, painful, funny, and human, and it resonates with everyone who comes to see it.
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe?
This is my first time performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, but I came last year for two days and saw a bunch of shows. That gave me a real feel for the energy of it. I am excited, nervous, and grateful for the opportunity to bring my own show there this year.
And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
Last year, I remember how exciting it felt to be surrounded by so many artists and so much theater. That stayed with me and made me want to come back with my own show.
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
I am looking forward to putting this story in front of an international audience. Edinburgh Fringe brings together audiences, reviewers, producers, presenters, and artists from all over the world. For a self-producing artist, that kind of opportunity is huge.
What’s next for the show?
After Edinburgh, I want the show to keep growing. I would like to bring it to more theaters, festivals, and intimate spaces where this kind of story can really connect with people. The goal is to keep building an audience and continue finding the people who need this show.