‘This is My Dad’ is a son’s reflection on his father’s life, and the man that he knew…or did he? Jody Kamali plays himself, the son of his Iranian father who died on the 29th October 2024, at a barbecue. And this is the first thing that we see as we enter The Crate, his father is hosting a barbecue, but he needs help. Kamali immediately engages the audience by including them in the preparations of the food, this inclusion is one of the recipes for the success of this show.
Kamali’s father talks to the audience as though he were in his neighbourhood bar or cafe chatting to the locals, and from how Kamali presented his father, I can imagine that he had the ‘gift of the gab’ as they say. As the play progresses, it becomes apparent that the process of developing the play appears to have been an acknowledgement that there were aspects of his father’s life that he kept to himself. He was a complex character, and Kamali uses humour to deflect what must have been a difficult period for him following his father’s sudden death.
The play begins at the barbecue but then moves to Kamali’s father’s home as he attends to the task of going through his dad’s things, a task that is left to him as an only child. This exploring of his father’s things brings back memories of times that he spent with his father, that as a child were confusing, but as an adult, replaying them in his mind, he can see more clearly, but this clarity does not always fully clear the confusion. It sometimes feels as though we are on this journey of discovery with Kamali, he describes his childhood after his parents separated and his time spent with his father was less frequent. Looking through a child’s eyes instantly connects the audience as, let’s face it, we have all been one. The innocence of a child’s memory encourages empathy from the collaborators of the show, who are you – the audience. Kamali’s tasks for the audience are simple so do not feel intimidated by being approached, and it is all done with a massive dollop of fun.
It is the injection of humour into what could have been a highly sombre show, that Kamali does well. He navigates what must be an emotional subject for him, with kindness towards his father, who did not always walk a straight line. To have the play directed by Oliver Senton, a highly respected director and actor must have helped Kamali to take a step back from the emotional side of performing the play. Sometimes, having another set of professional eyes on something so personal, can mould a play from being overly sentimental, into a show that is entertaining for an audience to come and see at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
In summary, Kamali dealt with a very personal, and what must be emotional subject with professionalism and care. His humour was endearing, whilst also being very funny, and I think the audience would all have loved to have known his dad!
The show runs until the 30th August (not 25th) 2.40pm (1hr) at The Crate at Assembly George Street. To book tickets go to – https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on?search=true&text=Jody%20Kamali%3A%20This%20is%20My%20Dad
Reviewer: Caroline Worswick
Reviewed: 22nd August 2026
North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating: