Scott Root enjoys an evening of top class political satire from one of Britain’s best stand-ups
It was great to see Nish Kumar back at The Forum Bath. We’d seen his previous gig last time around and it was so good – clever, insightful, considered and very, very funny. This time around, however, there was something new – Nish was pretty flippin’ angry too!
And there is plenty for him to be angry about – British politics, the war in the Middle East, life in general really – and addressing it all to a largely white, middle class looking audience, it could easily have made the whole thing, well, awkward. So much of Nish’s venom came with a well deserved focus on the evils of racism and the fact that so many of us aren’t actually, really, when it comes down to it, doing a thing about it.
Being Nish Kumar, however, while it’s material that’s delivered at 100mph, the content is never just a rant, more a well considered, ever so cleverly done dissection of a culture, at home and elsewhere, that is coated with lazy liberalism and barely disguised racist vitriol.
There are predictable but well deserved shots at the ruling classes, particularly those from an Asian background who do so little to support their culture, while it was left to Sunak, Truss and Johnson to the majority of his abuse.
Around the polemics, however, Nish shows his well-honed comedy talents through clever exchanges with the audience, which work so well and able demenstrate the skill of the man.
All-in-all, a most excellent evening out.
Find out more about upcoming shows at The Forum Bath at www.bathforum.co.uk