Nish Kumar: Ruminations on the Nature of Subjectivity @ Pleasance Courtyard

Thought-provoking, funny and rapid-fire, Nish Kumar’s Ruminations on the Nature of Subjectivity leaves the audience questioning their beliefs and needing a nap. Kumar deals well with some early heckling from the audience and a steamy venue at the Pleasance Courtyard that feels a lot like being locked in a closet.

Not letting the drunks or moist surrounding throw him off his game, Kumar’s show is expressive and well-spoken, tackling race, perspectives and beliefs in a non-threatening, hysterical approach. He is easy to identify with throughout, like a friend chatting in a pub.  Throughout the show Kumar proceeds at a breakneck speed without stopping for breath. Stories about his mother and girlfriend add a charming touch without inducing vomit. The London-based comedian impresses with his sweet dance moves followed by examinations of his own behaviour and colossal ego that seem to propel him through the show, winding himself up as time goes on.

Kumar is one half of the stand-up duo The Gentlemen of Leisure with Tom Neenan. A regular at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival since 2009 and appearing on several BBC shows, the performance is polished without being stiff with constant laughs. He is even listed with The Guardian Top Ten Jokes of the Festival in 2012 for “My mum’s so pessimistic, that if there was an Olympics for pessimism she wouldn’t fancy her chances.”

Kumar’s cadence and thought-provoking spectacle keep the audience interested and the hour goes by quickly, leaving them wanting more.