In the heart of the jokes and the journey and the remarkable slides of his Dad’s home-mantra’d car and everything else that comes to together to make Heavenly Baba, it’s Loufti’s constant touchstone of his own integrity that shines bright. It’s his North Star, sometimes out of sight, as he recalls his own bumps in his autobiographical trail, but always with a magnetic pull.
Loufti’s story is not one likely to be heard anywhere else in the Fringe. Growing up a Muslim religious zealot in Redneck Florida in the shadow of 9/11, half Syrian and half Irish Catholic, this unusual boy decided to become a comedian at 18 but was stuck with few common experiences with his audience. This discord becomes a wrestle that grows, and his articulation around it both engaging and a real struggle for harmony between his onstage and offstage personas skilfully articulated.
The stories he tells are well constructed, lovingly told for the lonely child he was whilst utilising his well stocked comedic toolbox built up over a successful career, one that took him onto ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ within a matter of a few short years of starting stand up.. His childhood and teen years are vividly and fondly drawn, central figures being both his religion and his father – Baba – and their developing and changing relationship.
Resolution comes when he finds out Baba’s “big secret”, a warm delight that hints at the many layers making up a human person, that the first impression should never be king, and a smidge of inspiration to all to keep growing.
Ismael Loufti: Heavenly Baba, 18.00 Studio Five at Assembly George Square Studios, until 24 August except 12
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ismael-loutfi-heavenly-baba
