Review: Joshua Bethania: Coming Home

As the uptempo crowd-hype music fades, Joshua Bethania launches into his debut Fringe hour with the air of a man doing essential pre-show safety admin. And why not? Seconds from South Bridge’s madding crowd there is definitely space for a calm comedic presence.

Bethania is very aware of his charisma levels, comparing that delivery style to the hum from the room’s air conditioner, which eventually leads to an excellent line about white noise; specifically, the noises shouted at him by white men. There is nothing easy-going about the actual content here.

A trojan horse of a comic, Bethania is so outwardly unassuming that the tone of his material can take you unawares. And several thorny British subjects are high on the agenda. If you’re a royalist, or have even a grudging admiration for the King and co, you might find it uncomfortable. Miss the old empire, and colonialism generally? Then this definitely won’t be your cup of tea – his rhetoric is calm but righteously impassioned. 

There are some fascinating insights here, notably regarding Rishi Sunak’s business connections in Bangalore, but that low-key style does sap the audience’s energy, eventually. Perhaps some Powerpoint action might pep things up, in future; get some cold, hard facts in people’s faces. Embrace the admin.