4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
A wise man might even consider this comedy gold
The Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh
Learning new facts at a comedy gig is always an added bonus. Someone who can simultaneously educate and entertain is undoubtedly a double threat. At the start of his show, Ayo Adenekan informs us that only around 2% of Edinburgh's population identify as Black. The 23-year-old Nigerian-Scottish comedian goes on to describe what it's like to be a Black, queer man growing up in such an overwhelmingly white city.
There's a gentle ease to Ayo's story-telling. A laid-back charm. We're soon hanging onto every softly-spoken word. At primary school, he desperately wanted to stand out, not stick out. Tales of his auditions attempts for the Years 1-3 Nativity play would melt the hardest of hearts. A wise man might even consider it comedy gold.
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Difficult issues are dismantled with razor-sharp wit and class. At the barber's, Ayo throws shade on the fade as well as the accompanying casual racism. Activism is acknowledged and explored via the back seat of the school bus. It turns out the cool kids always have the best punchlines. A few stories need filled out and finished off, though. It would have been good to learn more about that distressing lads' holiday to Magaluf, for example.
The individuality of much of Ayo's material is genuinely exciting. Many of his friends have recently become pet or baby parents. His take on trying to bringing them up to speed on his dating exploits adds some superb physicality to proceedings.
This Leith local's come a long way in a short space of time. His first steps in stand-up were in 2023. Last year, he came third in Gilded Balloon's comedy competition, So You Think You're Funny? This year, as recipient of Brass Tacks Debut Fund, his Fringe costs for this much-anticipated first hour will be met by Red Bull UK.
Here's a thing. During a show, I like to jot down my observations and comments. I do it old-school, using a pen and paper. I've noticed that the more I'm enjoying a performance, the less I tend to write. Looking back at my notes from one didn't take long. All it said on the page was, 'the real deal.'
Here's another fact I learnt at the gig. Scottish comedy has a new rising star.
Ayo Adenekan is appearing at The Monkey Barrel July 30-August 24.
