REVIEW: Alex Edelman, Soho Theatre
American comedian crates laughs with tales of everyday occurrences and his seashell collection
American comedian Alex Edelman, who has built up a huge fanbase in the UK, is in London this week with his show What Are You Going To Do. This has been performed more than 500 times all over the world, including acclaimed runs off and on Broadway.
This was Alex possibly at his frankest, doing what he does best, seeing the humour in everyday occurrences, some of which seem only to happen to him.
Alex is of the most critically hailed comedians of his generation, and is best known for solo shows that blur the line between his stand-up comedy roots and narrative-driven storytelling, and this latest show does not disappoint.
For Alex’s followers who have seen his earlier hilarious shows when he talked about his childhood and his relationship with his brilliant, almost Nobel-prize-winning, cardiologist father and his mother, this latest performance is a progression, touching on, amongst other things, his work as a clown in an Israeli children’s hospital, his seashell collection – yes he has got one – his visit to Elvis Presley’s Graceland home and going on a Christian pilgrimage. He does not shy from thornier subjects like autism – as a child he was tested for it – and, like many Jewish stand-up comedians today, he tackles antisemitism, but, as with all his humour, Alex approaches the latter in a clever and original way.
Alex knows how to hold his audience and keep them entertained throughout his 60-minute set. His personality and charm shine through and he carries the crowd with him as he takes them on an hilarious journey, discovering what it is like to be Alex Edelman.
Ever the consummate professional comedian, he makes it look so simple, but there is immense skill in his show, as he conjures up scenarios that are both entertaining and very funny.
The feedback from the audience at the end of the show was “brilliant”, “hugely entertaining” and “fantastic”.
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