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What does a Canadian make of Eurovision? Comedian Matti McLean has plenty to say about it in A Canadian Explains Eurovision to Brits, which runs for six performances at The Dragonfly Lounge as part of this year’s Colchester Fringe.
Mixing stand-up comedy, music, storytelling, and a TED-style presentation, the show explores Eurovision’s colourful history, memorable performers, and its place in queer culture. Matti has spent years following the competition from across the Atlantic, becoming fascinated by the music, politics and personalities involved.
“I was initially drawn to Eurovision simply because… I am gay. I think that’s a stereotype, but it’s one I’ll stick to,” Matti said.
His interest in the contest began during the pandemic, when he found himself drawn into its history and the stories surrounding it.
“I fell in love with the contest during the pandemic funny enough – others got sourdough, I got Eurovision. It just intersected so many of the things that I love and the deeper I dug the more stories and mythologies revealed themselves – like a nesting doll of excitement.”
Eurovision became particularly important to Matti during a difficult period in his life, helping him through a divorce, a family bereavement and the beginnings of a new career as a Fringe performer.
His own experiences of growing up feeling different also make it into the show. Matti recalls struggling at school with ADHD and autism, and being gay in a church led by his father, where he never felt fully accepted.
“This is a show about being an outsider who finds his place in the strangest of places and learns that sometimes the best thing to be – is yourself,” he explained.
The timing of his visit is particularly interesting, with Canada preparing to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2027. After years of watching from afar, Matti is sharing his take on the competition with British audiences for the first time.
A regular performer on the North American Fringe circuit, Matti received a Calgary Fringe Award in 2025. His Colchester performances mark the show’s first outing outside North America.
Whether you’re a devoted Eurovision fan, an occasional viewer, or someone who has never quite understood its appeal, the show has plenty to offer, with comedy, music and some of the contest’s more unusual stories along the way.
A Canadian Explains Eurovision to Brits is at The Dragonfly Lounge, Long Wyre Street, Colchester, on Thursday 22nd, Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th, Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th and Friday 30th October. The show lasts 60 minutes, with tickets priced at £13 and an age recommendation of 12+.
