Comedy duo The Thinking Drinkers are throwing their support behind the hospitality sector with the launch of a new show celebrating the pleasures of the pub, and they are offering discounted tickets to hospitality workers at performances of Thinking Drinkers: The Booze-Ical, which premieres at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. The show an, all-singing, all-dancing, lyrical love letter to the local, is set in a pub, also co-stars the singers Flat and the Curves.
The Thinking Drinkers themselves are Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham who will express their love for the local whilst serving up, and tasting, a quintet of quality drinks brands. These include Satellite Super Session IPA from Beavertown Brewery; BenRiach 10 year-old Single Malt Whisky; Thatchers Gold Cider; The Lost Explorer Mezcal; and Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka, distilled in Yorkshire and co-owned by world-famous comedian Ricky Gervais.
The entertainers are also urging their audience to sign their petition that demands ALL work lunches in pubs and restaurants become 100% tax-deductable – as long as there’s a decent drink on the receipt.
Tom said, “Ben and I first met when we worked on a pub trade newspaper and, frankly, most of our best – and only – work was done over a pint at lunchtime. It’s heartbreaking that today’s generation of workers seem to rarely even get out of the office, let alone enjoy a cheeky craft ale and a cheese toastie courtesy of HMRC to set them up for the afternoon.”
“The Booze-ical was inspired by the daily battle pubs are currently facing to survive and thrive. Hit by a combination of COVID, rising energy costs, the cost-of-living crisis and crippling business rates, we thought what they clearly need is a musical – written and performed by two people who can’t sing.”
Ben added, “The number of British boozers is shrinking like a crisp packet in a roaring pub fire and, according to some rough sums we scribbled down on a beer mat, in six years they will be outnumbered by soulless coffee chains and Greggs. It’s time to rise up against the pastry-archy!
“Our last show put us in The Guinness Book of World Records for masterminding the World’s Biggest Pub Quiz, so it’s clear that our global influence is now huge. We have high hopes that this show will tip the balance for pubs. Bringing back lunch at the local is just the start – we want to lead the nation back to the boozer!”
Tom said, “We’re also giving something back to busy hospitality workers, helping them to unwind by offering discounted tickets at a show that constantly reminds them of their working environment.”
Thinking Drinkers: The Booze-Ical marks the duo’s 12th successive year at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and runs from 1st July to 25th August 2024 at the Underbelly in Edinburgh, with plans for a UK tour later in the year.