★★★★
The great thing about Paul Sinha, is his knowing subversion of his television personality. The affable quizzer and self-described ‘boring Celebrity Goggleboxer’, manages to deconstruct the strange cascade of left-wing comics becoming rabid right-wingers on GB News, talk about his Parkinson’s and his marriage to Oliver (who is asexual) – all whilst dropping the darkest of one-liners – to an audience who, essentially, just watch daytime ITV.
The audience love him and rightly so. His craft is unassailable, and adding to his canon are little musical numbers which are cute, easily digestible distractions from his larger set-pieces. Sinha often hones in on those who have slighted him or former friends, and I can’t tell if it is mock outrage or a genuine attempt to redress some wrongs.
It’s a very entertaining hour, something a lot of comedians forget when they are at the fringe, to actually make sure the audiences are enjoying themselves.
The bittersweet realisation for all of us in the audience is at the end of the show, where Paul talks about his absolute love of the Fringe and of performing stand-up, but his fear that as his Parkinson’s progresses, he is going to be less able to perform. It leaves you feeling such appreciation for this comic, who is great at what he does, is clever, and unapologetic, but never leaves the audience behind.
Paul Sinha: Pauly Bengali is on at The Stand’s New Town Theatre till August 27th
