The Allusionist is going on a live tour of the UK in August and September 2024! It’s an all new show of stuff that has not been on the podcast (and may never be), about frenemies and strong font-based emotions and unintentional swears. It is called Souvenirs, and will be feelgood and fun to watch.

All dates are on sale now, check theallusionist.org/events for ticket links.

Preemptive answering of questions:

Is it a live podcast recording?

No! I wouldn’t put you through that! It’s a show-show, written for stage performance, with music and visuals and things that only happen when we all gather in a room together. Some of the live shows have never ended up on the podfeed. For an idea of previous live Allusionist schtick, listen to No Title and WPM.

Why aren’t you performing in my town? WHY??

Either our booker couldn’t get us a venue there, or we don’t have enough Allusiofans to fill a room there.

But! If you run a venue, or a festival, and would like us to perform there sometime (especially if in Canada; we would love to tour there next), do get in contact; hopefully we could work something out.

Can I bring my kid to the show?

As far as I’m concerned, you can; whether your kid will enjoy it is really down to their taste and boredom threshold. HOWEVER. Some of the venues are age-restricted, so check with the relevant venue before buying a ticket for your kid.

Are the venues accessible?

They claim to be. I’ve linked to each venue’s accessibility information at theallusionist.org/events.

Why have you requested that we wear masks* to attend the show?

Masking is non-compulsory but recommended, because not giving or receiving illnesses is preferable for all of us, right?! Currently there’s a particularly virulent strain of covid going around, and I would love for none of us to catch it at one of the shows. I would also love for the people who have to be extra careful about protecting their health to be able to attend the shows, and we can make these small accommodations so that they can.

*I specifically mean masks like KN95s, not those creepy Venetian masks that make you look like you’re going to a ball in Gossip Girl. They do have interesting history, but in summary: if you show up wearing a Venetian mask, I will be more scared, and if you show up wearing a mask designed to limit the spread of viruses, I’ll be less scared. If you show up wearing both, I will feel both more and less scared, which ought to result in neutral levels of fear, yet somehow doesn’t.

I am a paying member of the Allusioverse. Do I get a discounted ticket?

Alas no, because we couldn’t swing that with the venues; but you DO get a special perk at the merch table!

I have never listened to the Allusionist. Will I enjoy the live show?

I reckon you will. We quite often get Allusionist noobs attending - one show in 2022, they even constituted 95% of the crowd - and they seem to have a good time! And no prior knowledge of the podcast is required to comprehend the live show.

Who’s this ‘we’ you’re talking about? Using the royal ‘we’, are we?

No, I don’t tour alone! On stage with me is the house band Martin Austwick, who is also my husband, and Martin the Sound Man from Answer Me This. As well as hearing him on the podcast episodes that are recordings of previous live shows (as aforementioned: No Title and WPM) he wheeled out his academic physicist side for the episode The Box.

I have other questions you haven’t preemptively answered.

Drop them in the comments.