Tarang Hardikar: If I'm Not Wrong comedy review – Overthinking the everyday
Sharp observations turn everyday anxieties into fresh, Seinfeldian comedy, with a tightly structured hour building to a brilliantly-received final line
Tarang Hardikar describes feeling intimidated as a customs official scrutinised his passport, his eyebrow raised at the idea that he’s looking at a comedian. Hardikar offers him his best comical face, but more evidence is required. If the official in question ever saw this whole show, he’d have no doubts; Hardikar is a funny character, and offers a slew of observations which are genuinely original. In discussing his early fear of parental disapproval of his cushion forts, he fears that they’ll be even less impressed by his school report card, and considers whether it might help his cause to badly forge their signature.
In this, and other subjects considered, Hardikar demonstrates a Seinfeldian ability to derive comedy from everyday anxiety. His consideration of how and why numbers evolved is equally fresh; his issues with drawing a straight line on a bit of paper reveals the mindset of a man prone to overthinking his own overthinking. The comic isn’t wrong about much; he gets the tone and structure of his show right, and the final line elicits roars of approval from the audience. Tarang Hardikar is a name to listen out for, whether you’re a stuffy customs official or not.
Tarang Hardikar: If I’m Not Wrong, Pleasance Courtyard, until 30 August, 6pm; picture: Jonny Ruff.