Hasan Al-Habib: Stuck In The Middle (East) With You comedy review – Off-the-cuff gags
A one-liner filled true story provides plenty of gags and patchy storytelling
Hasan Al-Habib’s latest Fringe hour is the true story of why he had to leave his home. It takes a while to get to the big reveal, but it’s an enjoyable ride as he tells us about his family, his girlfriend and being caught between two cultures. Despite only being his second show, Al-Habib has the confidence of a much more experienced comic. He is armed with an arsenal of accents and impressions, used to imitate everyone from his Iraqi family to a hateful Yorkshire audience, and from his French girlfriend to fellow Brummies. Some of the best bits come off the cuff, when he messes up lines, showing quick wit and improvisational skill that he should draw on more often.
The jokes come thick and fast, particularly the one-liners. Al-Habib often sets up serious jokes only to subvert them with something silly, though it becomes a little predictable after a while, both in structure and subject matter. The result is that when he gets to his emotional ending, the tonal shift doesn’t really work. By not giving that bit the weight it deserves, it almost feels tacked-on for effect; a real shame given the serious topic.
Hasan Al-Habib: Stuck In The Middle (East) With You, Pleasance Courtyard, until 30 August, 5.30pm; picture: Matt Stronge.