New Scot blends politics and patter in bold comedy fundraiser

The National

2 days ago

He brought a revamped version of his hit Glasgow Comedy Festival show, Chips, Cheese and Curry, to Blackfriars on Thursday, performing a special charity gig in support of a family in Gaza.
After calling himself 'Romesh Ranganathan from Temu' within the first five minutes of the set and comparing his hometown of Sirohi, India to Aberdeen, – both places where 'all you think about is leaving' – one would be forgiven if they assumed he was not proud of his roots.
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However, Rathore delivered a 50 minute gig that served as not just a charity fundraiser or a run of the mill comedy set, but a nuanced exploration of leaving home and finding it in a place that doesn't often know what to do with you.
Since coming to Scotland, the comic has had a number of experiences – some good, some bad and some side-splittingly wild (looking at you, Falkirk dating scene). After being offered 'halal' class A drugs in a Dundee pub toilet, Rathore came to the astute conclusion that our wee island nation is 'racist but welcoming'.
He explored the ramifications of the East India Company and the UK's troubled history of colonialism with slick observational humour and a fairly accurate impression of the beloved naturalist David Attenborough.
A few of the technical issues he faced would have left any novice comic flailing on stage, but Rathore handled it with style, incorporating the hitches into the set and improvising with crowd work until problems with sound were resolved.
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And shout-out to Rathore's dad, who has unknowingly become a Glasgow micro-celebrity with his accidental inclusion of Nigel Farage quotes in a Facebook eulogy for a friend who had passed away.
Despite English being his fourth language, he shows an innate and witty understanding not just of Scottish culture but of the core pillar of our society too: our patter. From accidentally joining an Orange Walk to the bizarre parties our funerals often turn into, Chips, Cheese and Curry acts as a sneaky love letter to his hometown and the things that inadvertently tie it to Glasgow.
Rathore has once again proven himself as one to watch on the Glasgow comedy scene. He will make his Edinburgh Fringe debut later this summer, performing at The Snug from July 31 – August 4.
Verdict – four stars.