
Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World
Similar events
View all →About This Event
Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World will be held at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on October 12, 2026. The event features a stand-up comedy performance by Alexei Sayle. Ticket prices are available on the website.
Comedy legend and devoted socialist Alexei Sayle has spent a lifetime trying to solve the world’s problems by walking down the middle of the street, shouting. A comedy giant, the third-greatest living Liverpudlian and a surprising breakout TikTok interpretative dance superstar, Alexei Sayle has blazed a trail through popular culture for more than forty years. Now he join us for a unique take on modern history, with a hilarious, polemical, one-of-a-kind take on how he, as a devoted Marxist, has tried to change the world. Born in 1952 to devoted members of the British Communist Party, Alexei has spent a lifetime walking down the middle of the street shouting. From the demonstrations against the Vietnam War in 1969 and the first Miners' strike in 1974, to the demonstration against the 2003 Iraq invasion and the recent marches in support of Gaza, he will trace the enduring struggle for a better, fairer world. Along the way, we’ll meet The Other Alexei (a bitter, retired media studies lecturer from Clitheroe Polytechnic), his imaginary daughter Tanita, and learn how a Samurai philosophy called Bushidō can teach us how to behave at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Eye-wateringly funny, unexpectedly moving and unashamedly polemical, this is Alexei Sayle’s at his defiant best: a story of one man's refusal to stay on the pavement. Alexei Sayle is a comedian, writer, actor and presenter. In 1979 he became the first MC of the original Comedy Store in Soho and went on to be a central figure in the Alternative Comedy movement of the early 1980s. On TV he starred in and wrote for The Young Ones, Alexei Sayle's Stuff and The Comic Strip Presents. On radio Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar is now approaching its sixth series. He has written many books including two bestselling volumes of memoir and in 2025 his TikTok videos which fuse interpretive dance with Marxism went viral and are now approaching thirteen million views worldwide. He is also the host of The Alexei Sayle Podcast: @alexeisaylepod
Description supplied by the event organiser.
Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of Assembly Rooms.
Ad · Stay22 affiliate link
Similar Events in Edinburgh
View all →
Scotland's Top New Material Comedy Show: Cracking New Jokes!
Thu, 24 Sept 2026
Dragonfly
£12The Comedy Cellar Edinburgh Live Stand-Up Comedy
Thu, 24 Sept 2026
The Canons Gait

Mark Cox
Fri, 9 Oct 2026
Baldridgeburn Centre
From £15Stork's Beak School of Historical Swordplay
Thu, 24 Sept 2026
St. Catherine’s Argyle Church
£4Groovy Disco Tech: EDINBURGH 26/27 LAUNCH // A JOURNEY THROUGH DANCE MUSIC // 23/09 @CAB VOL
Thu, 24 Sept 2026
Cabaret Voltaire

Proposed changes to SSSC registration requirements
Thu, 24 Sept 2026
Scottish Government Consultation Hub
More at Assembly Rooms
View all →
Women on Top Summit 2026
Thu, 24 Sept 2026

The Beast UK: Iron Maiden Tribute
Fri, 25 Sept 2026

The Beast UK - Tribute to Iron Maiden
Sat, 26 Sept 2026
Free EntryEdinburgh in Print
Sat, 26 Sept 2026

Copacabana Magic – The Barry Manilow Tribute Show
Sat, 26 Sept 2026

Jay Rayner: Nights Out in the Kitchen
Sun, 27 Sept 2026
Frequently asked questions
Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World takes place on Monday, 12 October 2026 at 19:30.
Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World is held at Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh (54 George Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 2LR).
Yes — hotels within walking distance of Assembly Rooms can be compared using the accommodation search further down this page.
Tickets for Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World can be booked via cultureedinburgh.com using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.

Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World
Editorial Summary
Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World will be held at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on October 12, 2026. The event features a stand-up comedy performance by Alexei Sayle. Ticket prices are available on the website.
This summary was automatically generated from event data sourced from official ticketing providers.
Organiser’s full description
Comedy legend and devoted socialist Alexei Sayle has spent a lifetime trying to solve the world’s problems by walking down the middle of the street, shouting. A comedy giant, the third-greatest living Liverpudlian and a surprising breakout TikTok interpretative dance superstar, Alexei Sayle has blazed a trail through popular culture for more than forty years. Now he join us for a unique take on modern history, with a hilarious, polemical, one-of-a-kind take on how he, as a devoted Marxist, has tried to change the world. Born in 1952 to devoted members of the British Communist Party, Alexei has spent a lifetime walking down the middle of the street shouting. From the demonstrations against the Vietnam War in 1969 and the first Miners' strike in 1974, to the demonstration against the 2003 Iraq invasion and the recent marches in support of Gaza, he will trace the enduring struggle for a better, fairer world. Along the way, we’ll meet The Other Alexei (a bitter, retired media studies lecturer from Clitheroe Polytechnic), his imaginary daughter Tanita, and learn how a Samurai philosophy called Bushidō can teach us how to behave at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Eye-wateringly funny, unexpectedly moving and unashamedly polemical, this is Alexei Sayle’s at his defiant best: a story of one man's refusal to stay on the pavement. Alexei Sayle is a comedian, writer, actor and presenter. In 1979 he became the first MC of the original Comedy Store in Soho and went on to be a central figure in the Alternative Comedy movement of the early 1980s. On TV he starred in and wrote for The Young Ones, Alexei Sayle's Stuff and The Comic Strip Presents. On radio Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar is now approaching its sixth series. He has written many books including two bestselling volumes of memoir and in 2025 his TikTok videos which fuse interpretive dance with Marxism went viral and are now approaching thirteen million views worldwide. He is also the host of The Alexei Sayle Podcast: @alexeisaylepod
Description supplied by the event organiser.
❓ Frequently asked questions
When is Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World?
Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World takes place on Monday, 12 October 2026 at 19:30.
Where is Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World taking place?
Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World is held at Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh (54 George Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 2LR).
Is there anywhere to stay near Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World?
Yes — hotels within walking distance of Assembly Rooms can be compared using the accommodation search further down this page.
How do I get tickets for Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World?
Tickets for Alexei Sayle: How I’ve Tried to Change the World can be booked via cultureedinburgh.com using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
🏨 Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of Assembly Rooms
Ad · Stay22 affiliate link
Price
Check website
Date
Time
More in Edinburgh
EventsList curates 176,000+ events across the UK. Tickets purchased via the venue or authorised sellers only.
More Events at Assembly Rooms
View all →
Women on Top Summit 2026
📍 Assembly Rooms

The Beast UK: Iron Maiden Tribute
📍 Assembly Rooms

The Beast UK - Tribute to Iron Maiden
📍 Assembly Rooms
SOLD OUTEdinburgh in Print
📍 Assembly Rooms
Sold out at source

Copacabana Magic – The Barry Manilow Tribute Show
📍 Assembly Rooms

Jay Rayner: Nights Out in the Kitchen
📍 Assembly Rooms
Similar Events in Edinburgh
View all →
Scotland's Top New Material Comedy Show: Cracking New Jokes!
📍 Dragonfly

The Comedy Cellar Edinburgh Live Stand-Up Comedy
📍 The Canons Gait
From £12.00

Mark Cox
📍 Baldridgeburn Centre

Stork's Beak School of Historical Swordplay
📍 St. Catherine’s Argyle Church
£15.00 - £50.00

Groovy Disco Tech: EDINBURGH 26/27 LAUNCH // A JOURNEY THROUGH DANCE MUSIC // 23/09 @CAB VOL
📍 Cabaret Voltaire
From £4.00

Proposed changes to SSSC registration requirements
📍 Scottish Government Consultation Hub
More things to do in Edinburgh
- Beluga Lagoon· Sunday, 22 November 2026
- Kevin Bridges - Comedian· Wednesday, 23 September 2026
- Kevin Bridges: Here If You Need Me· Tuesday, 22 September 2026
- The Thursday Show· Thursday, 10 September 2026
- The Friday Show· Friday, 11 September 2026
- The Late Show @ The Comedy Attic· Friday, 11 September 2026
- The Sunday Night Laugh-In· Sunday, 13 September 2026
- Paul Smith· Thursday, 5 November 2026
- The Saturday Show· Saturday, 12 September 2026
- The Comedy Cellar Edinburgh Live Stand-Up Comedy· Monday, 12 October 2026
- Michael Palin - In The Philippines· Monday, 12 October 2026
- Spandex Comedy - 5 Star Comedy Every Tuesday Night In Edinburgh· Tuesday, 13 October 2026
- We Saw That!· Wednesday, 14 October 2026
- Mike Bubbins· Saturday, 10 October 2026