The Edinburgh Fringe gigs of comedian John Tothill will be supported in part by donations made in response to his account of developing malaria while participating in a medication study.
Tothill was having trouble making ends meet.
The financial rewards for taking part in malaria drug studies can be substantial; for example, one advertisement on the Oxford Vaccine Group website offers participants a salary of up to $11,750.
Although Tothill anticipated a relatively minor amount of the sickness, he was instead struck with hallucinations and a high temperature.
After waiting around two weeks for symptoms to take hold, the 27-year-old comic was severely impacted by the disease that kills over half a million people annually.
The August festival has grown infamously expensive for both artists and spectators, so even after receiving payment to participate in the trial, he still couldn’t afford his expenses at the Fringe.
Some venues want $13,000 per week for the use of their space and personnel, and performers sometimes have to shell out thousands extra for lodging.
Comics Gail Porter and Jason Manford have also spoken out against the excessive pricing. The former said they were “priced out” of attending the festival in their hometown, and the latter said they would lose money if they went to Edinburgh this year.
Pharmaceutical companies and academics are inundating social media with requests for participants in clinical studies; one of the more profitable is the malaria test.
The deadly illness malaria may be transmitted with only one bite from an infected mosquito.
After being deliberately administered an infection a few days down the road, he became sick at supper.
He described it as “slightly delirious and feverish,” comparing it to his experience with COVID-19. Additionally, he had piercing aches in many areas of my body. It was the worst case of illness he’d ever had. He began to have strange dreams that evolved into hallucinations in which he believed the devil was dragging him into hell.
Surrounded by experts who seemed unconcerned, the physical discomfort was strangely alleviated by a sense of security and support.
Within days of taking the anti-malaria pills, he made a full recovery.
