Ayo Adekanan brings an inviting and very welcoming presence to the stage, turning personal experience into an affectionate and sharply observed hour of comedy. Growing up in Scotland within a “somewhat Muslim family” gives Adenekan plenty of material, particularly his desire to experience things that differ from his family in Nigeria, while his bisexuality becomes a source of both vulnerability and warmth.
His coming-out stories are strongest sections of the show, talking about relationships with both “straight white man friends” and queer friends, expressing genuine gratitude for the people around him while telling the funny story of them in B and Q
His reflections on his absent father and divorced family similarly find great humour without losing their emotional weight, while jumping into his dating life offers some of the evening’s biggest laughs, particularly his admission that dating black men becomes a competitive exercise because he wants to be “the fittest”.
What makes this show enjoyable, is Adekanan himself. His openness and positivity make the audience feel immediately included, allowing the more personal material to land without becoming too heavy.
Ayo Adenekan: Homeland Insecurity, 13:30 at Monkey Barrel Comedy (Cabaret Voltaire) – CabVol 2 at 1:30pm from August 4-16th – 18-30th
