“So how do you rate yourself as a husband?” This is just one of the many direct questions Romesh Ranganathan asks of himself and of the audience in his latest show, and he doesn’t get off easy from the Edinburgh audience, a city in which he was nominated for the Foster’s Best Newcomer Award just two years ago.
Being derogatory about himself seems to be Ranganathan’s selling point and it certainly tickles the audience. He starts by judging his marriage and his inept skills as a husband before moving on to his Sri Lankan roots. Even his children aren’t spared.
The audience too face his sharp tongue as he judges the teachers in the audience, anyone who studied drama, and those who prefer Corn Flakes to Coco Pops. His talent seems to be thinking on his feet and it is easy to imagine that every show he does offers something different depending on audience participation on any given night. Tonight, the crowd plays along and when one audience member starts trying to take over with some jokes of his own Ranganathan is able to pull it back, and put the audience member in his place, with ease.
He swears – a lot – which would not be to everyone’s taste, but, if you are happy to face an hour of being berated by the comic, and in turn listen to him berate himself, then this is the show for you. He himself admits he’s basically a grumpy middle aged man and in his storytelling of very ordinary events this grumpiness, mixed with his quick-wit and audience interaction, turns into a wonderful comic blend, leaving the audience wanting more.
Ranganathan will continue his UK tour with Suzi Ruffell until the end of May and will return with a new show, Irrational, for the Fringe this August.