Vir Das’s The Fool is a masterclass in comedy that brilliantly blends humour with sharp social commentary. As an Emmy Award winner for Best Comedy Series on Netflix, Vir Das sets high expectations—and more than delivers. From the moment he steps on stage, the energy is electric, with the audience erupting in laughter throughout his set.
In The Fool, Das tackles topics like racism, religion, and social media, all with his signature wit and humour. One particularly hilarious bit involves him taking his nephew to an art exhibition. The punchline? The child is disappointed because the paintings don’t fit vertically on his phone. Das then launches into a side-splitting riff on how Instagram has made the world vertical, even joking that when he dies, he’ll die vertically so people can take photos. This blend of absurdity with a grain of truth is classic Das and keeps the audience roaring with laughter.
Das also doesn’t shy away from poking fun at societal norms. His commentary on how Instagram makes everyone look the same, particularly women, is both funny and a subtle jab at the superficiality of social media culture. His take on mental health is equally amusing, yet thought-provoking, as he shares a story about telling his father he has anxiety, only to be advised to do jumping jacks as if that would “jump” the anxiety out of him.
A particularly memorable moment comes when he humorously addresses Indo-Pak relations, joking that while he loves Pakistanis, he wouldn’t say that in the media. His line, “we will unite when we get a common enemy,” is delivered with perfect timing, showcasing his ability to make light of even the most sensitive topics
The Fool is a must-see show at the Fringe, filled with non-stop laughter and clever insights. Vir Das’s performance is a total entertainer, leaving the audience in stitches and proving why he’s one of the top comedians in the world today.
Reviewer: Saira Kunjuvalappil (Saira ks)
Reviewed: 19th August 2024
North West End UK Rating: