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Omid Djalili: Schmuck for a Night
With Boothby Graffoe
Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Friday 17th February 2017
The
Tyne Theatre continues to be a popular venue for the comics that regularly pop
up on television. Omid Djalili’s blend of sharp social & multi-cultural
commentary with observations about current affairs went down well with the Newcastle crowd.
Opening
was Boothby Graffoe, an experienced comic who knew how to work the room. Armed
with a guitar he was able to recall the lullabies that he used to get his
daughter to sleep. Other tunes were short and had carefully crafted lyrics that
finished on the punchline. Accents slipped as he retold funny tales though this
was as much of the comedy as the story itself. He related well to the crowd as
he observed the number of bridges Newcastle has and the authentic
American welcome of the local Frankie and Benny’s.
Omid
has come a long way since we first saw him at the start of his career at the
Hyena Café. Having said that, the performance was memorable and we still talk
about it nearly 20 years later. The Iranian dancing still makes an appearance
in 2017 but he no longer has to explain his comedy.
The
news is full of rich comedy material for Omid to exploit. He suggests that
Trump may not be a nice person but he is comedy gold. A number of his
statements made during the election campaign were offered to support this. He
considers Brexit, trans gender issues, immigration and religion. In doing such
high risk topics it is clear he will not have everyone laughing all of the time
as he sails so near the knuckle. Having said that, Omid’s skill is to keep
everyone on board for his next topic. Personally I laughed almost all the way
through his 90 minute set.
Omid
knows when to deliver that killer line which will have the crowd in stitches.
He is a master of regional accents too. He is not a comic that will work his
way across the front asking for names and occupations in search of a cheap
laugh. Nor does he feel bound by political correctness if it will stop his
getting his point across. The show’s title “Schmuck for a Night” is a reference
to the Jewish term for being a fool. Omid suggests that the news and world
events make it easy to be in the dark about the implications of political
decisions. If that sounds heavy then don’t panic and the lighter moments
regularly infiltrate the tougher observations. He isn’t overtly preachy. The
feeling of respect and kindness was allowed to develop.
Omid
Djalili is an accomplished performer, with perfect comic timing, that can
deliver bad news or the harsh prediction of the future with an infectious
smile. No story over stayed its welcome. The tales often end with a dance for a
good laugh. This was a perfect way to be entertained on a Friday night and we
look forward to his return.
Review
by Stephen
Oliver
Coming up at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre:
David O’Doherty: Big Time - Saturday 18th February 2107
Ruddigore
- Thursday 23rd - Saturday 25th
February 2017
Richard & Adam – The Classics Tour - Saturday 4th March
2017 http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/72-1024x768-normal-0.html
Little Shop of Horrors - Thursday 9th – Saturday 11th March 2017
http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/preview-little-shop-of-horrors-at.html
http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/preview-little-shop-of-horrors-at.html
David Gower, Chris Cowdrey & The Holy Bail - Wednesday 15th March 2017
Eleanor Conway: Walk of Shame - Friday 17 March 2017
Rob Beckett - Thursday
30th March 2017
Count
Arthur Strong - The Sound of Mucus - Thursday 4th
May 2017
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