Gail Thomas brings their critically acclaimed solo show Patient 13 to the Edinburgh Fringe, offering a bold and darkly comic exploration of life after a cancer diagnosis. Blending humour with deeply personal storytelling, the show is making its European debut at Zoo (Playground 2).
Based on real experiences, Patient 13 follows Thomas through an unconventional clinical trial involving psychedelics, examining themes of identity, connection and resilience. The production has already earned praise for its candid, intimate and sharply observed perspective.
Patient 13 runs from 7–30 August (excluding 17 and 25) at 14:20 at Zoo (Playground 2), High School Yards, Edinburgh. Tickets are available here.
You’re the writer and performer of Patient 13 at Zoo (Playground 2), what can you tell us about the show?
Patient 13 is a dark comedy solo show with a hard-to-believe, fast-moving, three-act structure. It explores themes of trust, isolation and true human connection.
I talk to the audience like friends, sharing my true story as a fiercely independent New York woman who has to slow down and speed up after a cancer diagnosis. It becomes a new adventure in trust and self-care.
Miraculously, I was invited into a government-approved clinical study that gave psychedelics to cancer survivors dealing with anxiety and depression. That was interesting.
The piece is based on your real-life experience following a cancer diagnosis, how did you approach turning such a personal story into a dark comedy?
I like to normalise scary, ‘dark’ events by finding the simple humour, humanity and commonality within them.
My writing starts with the narrative, the emotional journey and the theme. The humour comes next, shaped by my slightly skewed perspective.
Comedy often comes from surprise, and there is plenty of that.
Having an hour-long show allows for comedic callbacks and shared jokes, which help build the overall story.
My goal as a solo artist is to replace shame with laughter.
The show explores participation in a clinical trial involving psychedelics, what drew you to share this aspect of your journey on stage?
My psychedelic experience was full of messages, one of which was to get back on stage and write jokes.
At the same time, people were constantly asking me what it was like to take part in such a trial.
Patient 13 allows me to take audiences along for the ride, and perhaps opens people up to new ways of looking at life — and medicine.
It also offers doctors a patient’s perspective. I was recently invited to speak at a US National Institutes of Health seminar alongside leading experts in the field, which was pretty incredible.
Patient 13 touches on themes of relationships, identity and isolation, what do you hope audiences connect with most?
At its core, Patient 13 is about self-love, which underpins everything else.
My journey through cancer forced me to ask difficult questions about my relationships and what truly serves me.
I want audiences to see the strength in vulnerability. A difficult day can be a source of insight.
Self-love can bring us together, and nobody is perfect. I hope the show helps people realise they are not alone.
The show has evolved from storytelling performances in New York to a full Fringe run, how has the piece developed along the way?
I started in stand-up and then found my voice through storytelling shows in New York — in bars, bookstores and small theatres.
Patient 13 grew out of four short true stories about my cancer experience. Trusted collaborators encouraged me to develop them into a full solo show.
Working on those stories individually made the final piece stronger, funnier and more specific.
After extensive editing and performances in New York and Los Angeles, it has become a structured three-act play that I’m very proud of.
The whole journey has felt magical.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Patient 13?
You will laugh, and you might cry.
Patient 13 is unique: funny, surprising and thoughtful. If you like dark comedy, buy a ticket.
If you have ever struggled with decisions, relationships or anything at all, this show is for you.
You will leave entertained, uplifted and maybe even enlightened.
And if you want to talk after the show, wait for me in the Zoo courtyard — I love a good post-show chat.
