He Eats Fire.

Then Tells You Exactly How It Works.

FreakShow & Tell is an 80-minute one-man show where fire-eating, glass-walking, and 100,000 volts of electricity meet the science and comedy behind each act. Praised by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader, and Variety.

Get Tickets - Chicago in Wrigleyville

“He’ll eat fire, walk on glass, absorb a million volts for your amusement.”

Chicago Sun-Times

“Britton is a charismatic performer who appears genuinely thrilled to share how simple his seemingly death-defying acts really are. ”
— Chicago Reader
“A fast-paced and funny look at life as a fire-eater.”
— Chicago Tribune
“I highly recommend putting aside your preconceived notions about freak shows so that you can enjoy a very entertaining evening that’s ripped from the history pages.”
— April A. Taylor, Author
“Fire eating, glass walking and hundreds of thousands of volts of electricity collide with comedy and storytelling in this one-of-a-kind show.”
— Variety Guide

One of the world's most unique fire eaters. Thom Britton blends stand-up comedy, storytelling and danger into an act that is 10,000 years old and brand new - at the same time.

But, the show isn't just fire eating!

Over 100,000 volts of electricity, nails, and broken glass are playthings for Thom Britton in FreakShow & Tell. 

News Clips

“What makes Thom very special, is that he wants to explain it all to you.”
— College of Curiosity
Thom TCG.jpg
““Britton is a charismatic performer who appears genuinely thrilled to share how simple his seemingly death-defying acts really are. His explanations are peppered with jokes and carnival flair, making even the dullest details memorable and entertaining.””
— Chicago Reader
“Britton has traded classic sideshow glitz for a lab coat and a personable demeanor.”
— Chicago Reader
“He’ll eat fire, walk on glass, absorb a million volts for your amusement.”
— Chicago Sun-Times
“A show unlike any other — part lecture, part story and part physics lesson, Thom Britton had everyone on the edge of their seats. The best part? Getting a lesson on how to eat fire!”
— Yelp Official Blog
“A completely unique sideshow act full of fire-eating, glass-walking, chainsaws, electricity and much much more!”
— Chicago Painted Red
“His one-man show breaks circus acts — such as fire swallowing — down to bare bones physics.”
— DNA info
“a fast-paced and funny look at life as a fire-eater.”
— Chicago Tribune
“You helped inspire thousands...”
— The Museum of Science and Industry
“That is unbelievable!”
— Good Day Chicago
“You Need Nerves of Steel and a Bit of Science to Eat Fire ”
— Gizmodo
“His tireless work ethic, unusual background and eclectic collection of passions translate to the stage as a truly novel and subversive experience.”
— Performance Revue (podcast)

Where has FreakShow & Tell been performed?

 

Theaters:

  • The Lyric Opera House, Chicago

  • Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

  • Cornservatory Theater, Chicago

  • The Lincoln Loft, Chicago

  • The No Exit Theater, Chicago

  • The Den Theater, Chicago

  • Work/Play Theater, Birmingham

  • The Emerald Theater, Detroit

  • True Brew Theater, New Orleans

  • Space Club HQ, Chicago

  • Nebbia Gallery, Chicago

  • The WIP Theater, Chicago

  • Mary-Arrchie Theatre, Chicago

  • Goose Island Theater, Chicago

  • The Arlee Theater, Illinois

  • Prop Theater, Chicago

  • Time Community Theater, Oshkosh

  • PARC Theater, Michigan

Science Centers

  • Ontario Science Centre, Toronto

  • Arizona Science Center, Arizona

  • Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

  • International Museum of Surgical Science, Chicago

Clubs:

  • Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Detroit

  • The Rockin’ Horse, Baton Rouge

  • The Other Place, Traverse City

  • Richoux’s Comedy Club, Baton Rouge

  • The Lincoln Lodge, Chicago

  • The Baton Show Lounge, Chicago

Festivals:

  • City Stages, Birmingham

  • 99X Fest, Atlanta

  • Sloss Fright Furnace, Birmingham

  • Abbey Hoffman Died For Our Sins, Chicago

  • Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, Phoenix

Appeared with:

  • Penn & Teller

  • Green Day

  • Mighty Mighty Bosstones

  • Lincoln Park

  • Disturbed

  • Incubus

  • Stone Temple Pilots

Colleges:

  • Abraham Baldwin College

  • Albion College

  • Alfred State University

  • Arizona State University

  • Aurora University

  • Cartret College

  • Catonsville Comm. College

  • Central Mich. University

  • Chattanooga State University

  • Clemson University

  • College of DuPage

  • Concord College

  • Eastern Il University

  • Eastern Kentucky University

  • Edison Community College

  • Elgin Community College

  • Gannon University

  • Hartwick College

  • Herkimer Comm. College

  • Hilbert College

  • Hiram College

  • Hocking College

  • Indiana University

  • Kutztown University

  • Lake Erie College

  • Longwood University

  • Monroe College

  • Muskingham College

  • Norwich University

  • Pikeville College

  • Rutgers College

  • Salem International University

  • St. Bonaventure University

  • SUNY Cobleskill

  • SUNY Delhi

  • SUNY Oneonta

  • Sussex County Community. College

  • Thompkins – Cortland Community College

  • Transylvania University

  • UNC Pembroke

  • Univ VA Wise

  • Univ. of W. Florida

  • Urbana College

  • Wayne State University

  • West Virginia Tech

  • Western Kentucky University

  • PLUS a ton more that I can't remember.