John started out making shows for the Edinburgh Fringe, including cult-hit ‘John Peel’s Shed’ which enjoyed a sold-out run and 5* reviews in The Scotsman and The Independent. He has been performing funny, heart-warming theatre shows since 2008 including The Mid 90s la la la (2008), The 100 Greatest Beekeepers in Switzerland, ever! (2010), John Peel’s Shed (2011), Aisle16 r Kool (2011), On The Beach (2013), Most People Aren’t That Happy, Anyway (2015), Circled in The Radio Times (2017) and You’re in a Bad Way (2019) and My Car Plays Tapes (2021). He still writes and performs theatre shows across the UK and has appeared at the Soho Theatre, Greenwich Theatre, Norwich Arts Centre, and many others. He is a regular at Machynlleth Comedy Festival as well as Glastonbury and Latitude.
‘Beautifully-written, funny and poignant… Just as John Peel’s records changed his life this lovely, simple, beautifully executed show has enriched ours.’
–The Scotsman – John Peel’s Shed Review
Norwich: A Love Story
From the cobbled streets by the cathedral to the people doing data entry in the open plan offices of Anglia Windows, this is a celebration of the day-to-day lives of the people of Norwich. Join us in a celebration of everything that is good about our city.
Next performance:
The New Blur Album
To celebrate Blur reforming for sell out shows at Wembley Stadium, John Osborne has brought back his Radio 4 storytelling show The New Blur Album back for some special shows.
‘A sweet reminiscence about youth, music and friends, full of heart and soul’ - Miranda Sawyer, The Observer
Circled in the Radio Times
A storytelling show about TV, family and magazines. From the creator of Radio 4’s John Peel’s Shed. Performed at Latitude Festival, Brighton fringe, Machynlleth festival and the Edinburgh festival.
‘Melts the boundaries between spoken word poetry, storytelling theatre and stand up with its sheer warmth, sensitivity and openness.’ – Broadway Baby
My Car Plays Tapes
My Car Plays Tapes is about minimum wage jobs, life as a support worker, cars that don’t work and being reunited with your old cassette collection. From the creator of John Peel’s Shed and Sky 1’s After Hours.
“A charmingly idiosyncratic mix of wistfulness and wonder” ★★★★ The Stage
John Peel’s Shed
In 2002, John Osborne won a competition on John Peel’s Radio 1 show. His prize was a box of records that took eight years to listen to. This is an ode to radio, those records and anyone who’s ever sought solace in wireless.
***** – The Scotsman
‘This was a gentle, self-deprecating, funny meander across formative years as refracted through the radio-listening that quietly knitted itself into his life.’ – The Guardian
You’re in a Bad Way
When two sisters learn their dad has been diagnosed with dementia, they deal with the news in very different ways.
You’re in a Bad Way deals with themes that are increasingly familiar.
‘A 15 tog hug of a show’ – The Stage
John Osborne 