FESTIVAL COMEDY | Reviews
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STEEN RASKOPOULOS: THE COOLEST KID IN COMPETITIVE CHESS Spreading the universal appeal of sketch improv ●●●●●
A sketch show highly reliant upon audience participation inspires dread in many comedy fans. But once again, Aussie sketch and improv comic Steen Raskopoulos achieves maximum enjoyment with minimum pain inflicted. He rattles through a whole host of sketches using well-chosen accomplices from the crowd, pre- recorded dialogue and the ability to shrug characters on and off at will. Those who have seen Raskopoulos’ previous shows will recognise familiar characters, though knowledge of them is not necessary for full enjoyment. Bookended by the titular chess player, his characters veer from
the everyday disappointment of a bad haircut to a horse with dreams of being a small business owner, all held together by several through-lines of story, and peppered with high-energy palate-cleansers that keep the pace up. An extended segment featuring an office employee at a
disciplinary meeting is particularly delightful as, by this point, the audience has figured out its role in the night’s success. What makes the ‘volunteers’ so willing to put themselves at risk is the sense that he’s not motivated by malice. When one woman falters in complying with his instructions, he ratchets down the façade a few notches to make her feel comfortable, gives her a wee cuddle and draws out what he needs for the sketch without sacrificing momentum or laughs.
By the hour’s end, the audience members, emboldened by seeing earlier participants escape without physical or mental harm, are willing to do anything asked of them. Raskopoulos takes an often- disliked form of comedy and, in his very skilled hands, gives it universal appeal. (Suzanne Black) ■ Underbelly Cowgate, until 27 Aug, 8pm, £11.50–£12.50 (£10.50–£11.50).
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B R A H M I
MARIA SHEHATA: WISDOMLESS Plodding show with a discerning crowd ●●●●●
ANDREW DOYLE: THOUGHT CRIMES A political critique ravaged by irrelevance ●●●●● KAE KURD: KURD YOUR ENTHUSIASM Cocky yet amiable debut ●●●●●
Maria Shehata is a US comedian from an Egyptian family, and in Wisdomless she explores cultural differences, relates stories of her life in LA, and details how she met her boyfriend and settled down with him in the UK. Plodding onwards with an enduring smile despite an indifferent reaction, Shehata expresses surprise at her observation that while US audiences are prone to cheer when she makes upbeat proclamations, UK crowds such as this one tend to sit in silence, waiting for the punchline.
She says this despite the fact we’ve already established that tonight’s throng is significantly international with very few Brits. Perhaps she’s not used to such a discerning gathering but it seems reasonable that we might respond more animatedly if she told more jokes during her comedy show. There are no great stories through this hour and just as many good gags. Shehata fails to bring her anecdotes to life and makes no effort to imbue her characterisations with any personality. There are some interesting observations on her conservative family and nice stories about dating, but this journey has been watered down so much that the jokes are simply too few and far between. (Murray Robertson) ■ Just the Tonic at The Caves, until 27 Aug, 8.20pm, £8–£10.
46 THE LIST FESTIVAL 17–28 Aug 2017
Andrew Doyle surveys British politics from his perspective as a gay, Corbyn-ite Catholic and, between bouts of audience-baiting banter (and sexual advances), locates his dissatisfaction with left-leaning life in the UK. With a pedigree in political comedy as co-writer of Jonathan Pie (the fictitious political correspondent who can be seen on YouTube), this is all familiar territory for Doyle and his run-down of each British political party does feel rather cursory.
It is surprising that for a show in Scotland he does not acknowledge the different political landscape north of the border: Scottish Labour are a different beast to Corbyn’s lot and, for him, the SNP may as well not exist. It hints at a lack of effort that’s replicated in his attack on left-wingers as Guardian- reading devourers of avocado, as well as lazy pot- shots at Ed Sheeran. A section in which Doyle slags off Scotland’s education system serves no function, narratively, thematically or comedically.
He does make some good points about the nature of the EU and the pitfalls of identity politics in what could have been a necessary critique of why the left is currently losing out to the Brexiteers and Tories. (Suzanne Black) ■ The Stand, until 27 Aug, 6.30pm, £12 (10).
Walking out to the theme of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Kae Kurd points out that he won’t be performing an hour of Jewish comedy. Instead, this is a debut show which platforms the young British-Kurdish comic’s burgeoning talent as a gag writer and live comedian.
Kicking off with rather humdrum observations about being in a bunker with a black backdrop (classic Jihadist behaviour that), Kurd spends a fair whack of time slamming ISIS for their beliefs, actions and comedic possibilities, while also spying western flaws. So he lays into the hypocritical reaction of the press to a Muslim doing well while representing the UK and wondering whether racism makes you live longer.
An hour of slating all and sundry is perfectly fine, but there comes a time when, even as a comedic notion, some other ideas should be thrown in. So, in that light, Kurd is not a fan of online petitions or street activism but doesn’t offer up any decent suggestions of alternative campaigning that could be more effective. Armed with a very decent Kevin Bridges impersonation, Kurd is a cockily amiable soul with lots of potential which might well be fulfilled when he narrows his targets down. (Brian Donaldson) ■ Pleasance Courtyard, until 27 Aug, 5.30pm, £10–£12 (£8–£10).