Throwing himself about the room with no tell as to his recent back injury save the announcement at the top of the show, Jody Kamali invites all into his one-man – with a few helpers from the audience – telling of his life. It’s physical, it’s energetic, it’s full of good will, and a sweet yarn of an origin story.
Turning his family members into cartoon characters of an Irish-Bristolian trio and, in contrast, his Middle Eastern father and his own extended collection of relations, Kamali by turns frantically and tenderly acts out his place within this fractured unit. He is incredibly physical and plays for slapstick effect, engaging sound cues and audience votes and – in parts – participation to move the show along at quite a hop. The only parts slowing the momentum is time spent corralling his participants or integrating some prop or other, meaning it’s his own speed that trips him up.
Things We Do For Love is endearing, if a little chaotic. Kamali is hugely likeable and his honesty about the culture confusions and finer details, such as the working class pride of his grandmother and small-child fear he experienced in Tehran, communicate well in his elaborate enactments whilst staying jovial within the more serious truths. It’s fun, it’s a little bit touching, and most of all it will leave you smiling at Kamali’s impressive energy that lights the room.
Assembly George Square – The Crate, 16:20, 4-28 August 2023 (except 9th, 16th & 23rd)
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/jody-kamali-things-we-do-for-love
