Patrick moved from Iran to England 1980 and since then he has had his fair share of racist remarks, but to put it truthfully, he has more in common with Freddie Mercury than Hezbollah. And he has 60 minutes to prove it.
If there is one thing that defines Monahan’s performance, it is his ability to connect with an audience. His crowd work feels spontaneous rather than forced, with conversations and reactions becoming part of the fabric of the show. He moves effortlessly between the people in front of him and the material he has brought with him, meaning the performance never feels overly rehearsed. There is a sense that each audience is helping to create its own version of the show.
That warmth is infectious. Monahan has an almost disarming ability to make a roomful of strangers feel like they are involved in one shared conversation. He is a hugger, after all!
Monahan reflects on growing up between cultures, drawing on his Irish-Iranian background and his childhood experiences following his family’s move from Iran to the UK after the Iranian Revolution. His stories explore the assumptions and stereotypes that can accompany identity, while finding plenty of absurdity in the cultural differences he has encountered.
His use of Farsi adds another playful dimension, particularly when he challenges the audience to trust his translations. It is a clever way of bringing his heritage directly into the room without allowing the more serious themes to overwhelm the comedy.
The show touches on prejudice, displacement, and the way the media can reduce complex cultures and identities to simplistic stereotypes. Yet Monahan never allows the heavier subject matter to dominate. His instinct is always to bring the audience back towards laughter.
With superb crowd work and a wonderfully upbeat spirit, this is a hugely enjoyable hour of stand-up and a strong contender for a feel-good highlight of the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Patrick Monahan – I’m Not a Terrorist – I’m Freddie Mercury, 21:00, Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House, 5th – 30th (not 17th)
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/patrick-monahan-i-m-not-a-terrorist-i-m-freddie-mercury
