Live Review: Soho Theatre, London
Words: Konrad Obiora
14 September 2006
If.comeddie award nominee Paul Sinha returned to the London comedy scene on Thursday with his show Saint or Sinha? after a successful Edinburgh Fringe.
Inside Comedy saw the first of Paul's three performances at the Soho Theatre of Saint or Sinha?, which received enormous praise from critics when he performed it at the Fringe in August.
The show is an exploration into Paul's life as a gay British-Asian comedian and part-time GP. In Saint or Sinha? Paul talked frankly and honestly about his fears, insecurities and grievances as he shared humorous anecdotes about being a single gay man, who loves football and is cursed with being attracted to "rough straight men".
As well as talking about his personal angst, Paul also shared his views on racism, the media's coverage of black and Asian murder victims - he is particularly scathing about the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair - religion, hoodies and football supporters.
The show began and ended with stories about his Bengali parents who emigrated to Britain in 1968. Paul tells a very funny and poignant story about confronting his father when he discovers that Paul is gay.
The most noteworthy aspect of Saint or Sinha? was the well-crafted anecdotes, which were devastatingly funny; each one peppered with one-liners and punchlines that occasionally had the audience dumbfounded before roaring with laughter.
Paul's stories about being in a compromising situation with a drunken squaddie in Halifax, on a stag do in Whitehaven and avoiding a fight with a young man dressed in Asbo chic were hilarious.
As a devoted football fan, Paul's observations on the homophobia of football supporters were one of the highlights of the show. He talked about the irony in a football chant about former Chelsea defender Graham Le Saux being gay and the tabloid newspapers' coverage of two Premiership football players alleged to have been involved in a gay orgy.
The structure of the show was impressive as Paul seemingly digressed from the theme of one story to the next before reconnecting the joints with an excellent quip or punchline, which would catch the audience off-guard.
There was something comforting, almost life-affirming about Paul Sinha's show Saint or Sinha?, which this reviewer feels will leave audiences feeling surprisingly happy with life despite all the chaos and fear that seems to be engulfing the world.
As Paul said towards the end of his hour-long show, he is waging a war on apprehension.
Links
Paul Sinha's website
Soho Theatre
Words: Konrad Obiora
14 September 2006
If.comeddie award nominee Paul Sinha returned to the London comedy scene on Thursday with his show Saint or Sinha? after a successful Edinburgh Fringe.
Inside Comedy saw the first of Paul's three performances at the Soho Theatre of Saint or Sinha?, which received enormous praise from critics when he performed it at the Fringe in August.
The show is an exploration into Paul's life as a gay British-Asian comedian and part-time GP. In Saint or Sinha? Paul talked frankly and honestly about his fears, insecurities and grievances as he shared humorous anecdotes about being a single gay man, who loves football and is cursed with being attracted to "rough straight men".
As well as talking about his personal angst, Paul also shared his views on racism, the media's coverage of black and Asian murder victims - he is particularly scathing about the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair - religion, hoodies and football supporters.
The show began and ended with stories about his Bengali parents who emigrated to Britain in 1968. Paul tells a very funny and poignant story about confronting his father when he discovers that Paul is gay.
The most noteworthy aspect of Saint or Sinha? was the well-crafted anecdotes, which were devastatingly funny; each one peppered with one-liners and punchlines that occasionally had the audience dumbfounded before roaring with laughter.
Paul's stories about being in a compromising situation with a drunken squaddie in Halifax, on a stag do in Whitehaven and avoiding a fight with a young man dressed in Asbo chic were hilarious.
As a devoted football fan, Paul's observations on the homophobia of football supporters were one of the highlights of the show. He talked about the irony in a football chant about former Chelsea defender Graham Le Saux being gay and the tabloid newspapers' coverage of two Premiership football players alleged to have been involved in a gay orgy.
The structure of the show was impressive as Paul seemingly digressed from the theme of one story to the next before reconnecting the joints with an excellent quip or punchline, which would catch the audience off-guard.
There was something comforting, almost life-affirming about Paul Sinha's show Saint or Sinha?, which this reviewer feels will leave audiences feeling surprisingly happy with life despite all the chaos and fear that seems to be engulfing the world.
As Paul said towards the end of his hour-long show, he is waging a war on apprehension.
Links
Paul Sinha's website
Soho Theatre
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