ED2015 4/5 Reviews ED2015 Comedy Reviews

Funmbi Omotayo – Legal Immigrant (CKP)

By Stephanie Gray | Published on Tuesday 25 August 2015

It’s rare to see a comedian so laid back in their debut hour, but the phrase “calm and collected” seems made for Funmbi Omotayo. As a ten-year-old he moved from London to his family’s native Nigeria, and back again a few years later, and ‘Legal Immigrant’ tells of his struggle to find an identity. Omotayo’s outlook on race and belonging is wonderfully honest, and he’s a great storyteller, but he does start to lose pace halfway through. He uses his charm and warmth to get away with riskier jokes towards the end, comfortable in the conviction that the audience is on his side. An interesting guy with stories to tell, it’s just a shame his material didn’t last the hour.

Gilded Balloon, until 30 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Stephanie Gray]