Theatre
Review
Romesh Ranganathan is brilliantly blunt and irrational
The British comic brings his hit show to Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2017
It isn’t that Romesh Ranganathan doesn’t dote on his family, it’s just that he’s made hilarious work of turning his closest relationships into A-class comedy material.
Whether he’s critiquing his middle child’s ability (or lack of) to operate a remote control car, or reflecting on the unexpected fame of his mum (who notoriously stole her son’s thunder on their TV show, Asian Provocateur), the UK comic has constructed a stand-up narrative that exploits the core family observations we’re all too polite to say ourselves.
It’s that kind of bluntness that makes Irrational so funny from start to finish, as Romesh’s thoughts on family holidays to Disneyland, Christmas in a multicultural home, and his sometimes-controversial parenting preferences, play out between a very relatable coffee shop tale.
Despite it being his first visit down under, Romesh does a commendable impersonation of the Aussie accent while seamlessly replacing the majority of European references with Australian equivalents. Coles, we’re looking at you.
There’s no shortage of UK/AUS comparisons though, as the comedian confesses his onset homesickness caused by unnecessarily polite Melbournians.
Much like the entirety of his hour-long set, you’ll be inclined to agree with Romesh’s to-the-point thinking as he makes strong cringe cases for life’s most irrational moments.
Romesh Ranganathan, Arts Centre Melbourne, 23 April 2017
