Beautifully written and achingly funny
Raul Kohli’s show weaves a narrative around what it means to be British, and how this fits with our multicultural society of today. Son of a Hindu Indian and a Sikh Singaporean, he was raised in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and Geordie deadpan humour is apparent in abundance.
Over the course of an hour, Raul’s taut storytelling leads us through key points in his childhood and adolescence, interlacing stories of his family’s history, and how all he wanted was to be considered British. We learn of his love of Newcastle United giving a sense of belonging, coming after an interaction with a change-hating bus driver. We find ourselves wheeling rapidly and acerbically through various topics as diverse as the extra-curricular activities of the Royal Family, Homer and the Iliad being the very first diss track, and how post-code knife wars began with European colonialism, pub culture, rejuvenating certain areas of the country, and honouring spirits of ancestors in an unusual way.
He provides an educated skewering of British history, and the current society, with a skilful touch, even touching briefly on Scottish Independence (which is brave for someone from England, even in Edinburgh). All stories lead us back again to reflections of his friends and family, and particularly his grandparents who he clearly holds dear. Often skating on the verge of too far, but his tight control keeping it just the right side of edgy, and remaining uproariously funny throughout. The entire room was in peals of laughter throughout.
We concluded with a story of hope and finding the good, as well as some unexpected attention on a trip – Raul’s comedy is well worth discovering.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/raul-kohli-raul-britannia