A comedian from Buckinghamshire will perform his solo show about cystic fibrosis at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.

Actor and comedian Charlie Merriman, 29, from Beaconsfield, has revealed that his previously sold-out one-man show about cystic fibrosis will be on this year’s Edinburgh Fringe line-up.

WONDER DRUG: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis written by and performed by Charlie is based on his real-life experiences from March 2020 when the pandemic hit.

Charlie said his aim is to “use this incredible milestone for cystic fibrosis to show the audience what medical research can achieve.”

Despite the leaps made in improving treatments, devastatingly the median age of death of people with cystic fibrosis is just 38.

The incurable, genetic condition affects more than 10,900 people in the UK. Because of the gene, the lungs and digestive system become clogged with mucus, making it difficult to breathe and digest food.  

Charlie's show, set to the tune of 80s music, takes audiences on a journey what living with the lifelong condition is like – explaining it to a new girlfriend, shielding during the pandemic, learning to administer IV antibiotics and the mental impact of it all.

The show also charts a turning point in Charlie’s health after he started a drug called Kaftrio, which helps increase lung function and limits the damage cystic fibrosis causes.

Despite the medical achievements, there was still a “long way to go in terms of making sure that everyone, no matter their genotype, can have access to similar medicine,” Charlie pointed out. 

He explained: “For me, life is very different before and after Kaftrio. Before Kaftrio I would have to do physio morning and evening. I would be coughing a lot on a daily basis and wouldn't be able to laugh without coughing. Now I’m on Kaftrio, I've been able to reduce the amount of physio I do.”

“It feels like I’ve been given the gift of time. Very often you hear people say, if only I had a few more hours in the day, and I was literally given that.

“It was a very strange and wonderful thing! Kaftrio gives me more independence, more spontaneity, and just confidence that I'm more resilient now.”

Because people with cystic fibrosis have a high risk of passing on harmful bacteria in their lungs, there will be a pre-recorded streaming of the show available after the Fringe for anyone not able to attend in person.

The chief executive of the Cystic Fibrosis trust David Ramsden said Charlie’s “fantastic achievement” at such a prestigious festival as Edinburgh Fringe helped raise awareness of the condition.

“As Charlie’s play highlights, new treatments are bringing hope but they are not a cure,” he added.

“Life with CF remains tough for many and Charlie’s play is a brilliant way to broaden understanding and support for people affected by the condition.”

WONDER DRUG: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis will be performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival from August 2-28 (excluding the 9, 14, 21 Aug) at the Pleasance Courtyard.