Comedians come to the fringe for many reasons. Some lesser-known comics are hoping to break through and make a name for themselves. Others with years of fame already under their belt, often just come to test out newer material for their bigger theatre or stadium tours.
Global star and international Emmy award winner Vir Das’s show is one I would probably put into a third category. He doesn’t need more acclaim, and the show’s complete and well worked. He came this year to bluntly tell his own truth, his own way. About life, about comedy, and about censorship.
Vir is charismatic and strong on stage. In his opening section, he adopts a harder more sarcastic persona and isn’t shy to pick on audience members. I knew this about him already, from a video a friend of a friend uploaded on to their Instagram of him roasting them in a show a few days earlier. Not my fave but that’s fine, plenty of people enjoy that style of comedy. His jokes land and he manages to straddle working with Indian references, whilst also making it understandable for western audiences. On its own, it’s a solid comedy show I would recommend.
However, the performance actually becomes much more unique as it goes on. There is an interlude where all the lights get turned on, the flow of the routine gets interrupted and he speaks very earnestly on why comedy matters. Its such a departure from his earlier style, in the moment I’m not sure what to make of it. In the context of his career, having to show up to police stations in India to show why his jokes don’t break the law, such a head on moment in the routine makes sense. Vir wants to show that he’s defiant, that his work can’t be stopped and his career will continue to grow. After watching his performance, I believe him.
Vir Das: The Fool, Pleasance Dome, 20:00, until August 25.
