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Desperate : A Beverly Hills Manny

22 Oct 2025

Desperate : A Beverly Hills Manny

From a school lunch betrayal in Mississippi to a quiet breakdown in Los Angeles, Desperate is a solo comedy that blends sharp stand-up, personal storytelling, and emotional depth into a one-person rollercoaster of survival and self-discovery. Written and performed by Esmond Fountain, winner of Best Stand-Up at the 2025 New York City Fringe Festival, this show explores what happens when chasing your dreams starts to feel more like running from your life.

With nothing but a mic and a bottle of water, Fountain navigates ghosting jobs, trying (and failing) to be a flight attendant, and the quiet shame of disappearing from your own goals. It’s a show about failure, identity, and the lies we tell ourselves to stay afloat.

Expect to laugh hard, feel deeply, and maybe leave asking yourself: What if hydration is healing?

Audiences have called it “raw, hilarious, and way too real”, a show that sneaks up on your heart while making your stomach hurt from laughing.

Cast & Creatives

Esmond Fountain

Date & Time: Wednesday 22nd October @7pm

Running Time:  70mins

Content warnings: Age 18+

Latecomers may not be admitted. ​Ticket purchases are non refundable.

Concession prices apply to students; under 18s; pensioners; those on disability and unemployment benefits; Equity, BECTU & SDUK members.

Venue

Venue: Effra Social

The very social, Effra Social. A wonderful time-warp, hosting great contemporary artists and events every day of the week! A beautiful Victorian pub serving the best food, drink and entertainment. Spacious beer garden, large bar and dance hall, private function room. Live music, DJs, cocktails & craft beer.

The Churchill Room: Capacity 50 standing or 35 seated. PA system, mics and stands.

Perfect for: WIP, stand-up, storytelling, workshops, poetry, live music.

Website
The Churchill Room at The Effra Social in Brixton
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Supported by

The Bread & Roses Theatre LogoArts Council EnglandThe Bread & Roses Pub logoThis is Clapham logoBrooklyn Brewery logoWellbeing in the ArtsMondo LogoDrive Forward LogoSt Johns Logo