The Persian Comedy Powerhouse performs his critically acclaimed new show to the Nottingham audience. So what's it all about...
This aged reviewer was delighted to discover tonight’s support was from veteran comedian and one-time resident of this fair city; Boothby Graffoe. A born entertainer who blends a skew-whiffed sense of humour with well-honed one-liners. Some comedians hide behind guitars; some guitarists hide behind comedy. Boothbie does neither. He is that hybrid, original and virtuosic-musical comedian. His guitar playing is as enchantingly good as his perfectly timed and delivered, deadpan comedy. He blends intricate, inventive and emotive guitar playing with whimsical, surreal and silly songs with cartoonesque lyrics, which has a packed-out Playhouse in hysterics. He is clever, unexpected. A standout, standalone, stand-up comedian, who as a support act, delivers tremendous value for money comedy, whilst setting the bar hight for the rest of the evening.
Omid is the Anglo-Iranian patron saint of Wali of comedy, who does not fail to scale the heights Boothby sets. Taking the stage to a remix of AC DC and the Bee Gees, he is energy released, then converted into laughter. After the obligatory Derby joke, he rails against the German Doner Kebabs strapline of ‘Kebabs done right’. As the great educator that he is, he explains the word kebab is from the Persian word "kabāb. Insisting they had been cooked correctly since the 13th century.
His comedic talent is to have us laughing at what made us despair last week
In inviting us into his world, Omid is a palette cleanser of a comedian. Tales of the inner workings of Anglo-Iranian culture, in particularly his extended family, are hilarious. Moving onto the cancel culture, his personal experiences are equally hilarious, insisting the way to get away with and not being cancelled is to include a comedic emoji in social media posts. I shall not spoil it for you with description but would urge you to catch the show.
Having strapped the audience in, he uses his comedy to take them on guided tour of the world’s problems. From social injustices, and environmental concerns to global politics. His comedic talent is to have us laughing at what made us despair last week. Exploring complex themes of political instability, wars, inequalities, extremism and colonialism. With his acute and poignant observations, along with comedic contempt of world leaders, he somehow has us laughing out loud, as he summarises that “people are not their governments.” He points the blame at the greedy, the corrupt, and those profiteering from the war machine, and most of all, the extremists in every camp. He argues we need someone like the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who would have been the peace negotiator the world needs now. Which is a great opportunity for his excellent impression of the great man, before suggesting it’s time for the women to take control, that they are the hope for the future.
Namaste is a thought-provoking show which hits the spot. Omid is not only not afraid to speak about the world’s ills, but he also manages to find appropriate comedy in it. This he uses to educate and most importantly, inspire, giving hope. In an era when the world is on a precipice of unprecedented uncertainty, any hope is welcome; laughter is a bonus. Catch this show whilst it is still touring.
Omid Djalili's Namaste Tour played at the Nottingham Playhouse on Wednesday 25th June, 2025.
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