Passionate, epic and very funny, Irish-Palestinian comic Sami Abu Wardeh’s densely layered Fringe comeback draws righteous energy from the current situation in Gaza and the spirit of intifada more generally. But it’s composed with a clinical eye and has been hundreds of years in the making. Intractable problems of identity, exile and occupation shouldn’t be casually dealt with. Abu Wardeh has created a one-man, multi-discipline show that incorporates the panoramic sweep of theatrical storytelling, the detached rhythms of classic stand-up, some hand puppetry and arch physical buffoonery, with the laughs sublimated to a greater purpose.
Central to the hour is Merguez, a carefree, Palestinian playboy with a girl in every port of his stolen yacht, until he falls head over heels for a resistance fighter in the Algerian War of Independence. The white-hot intensity of their romance burns brightly, set in marked contrast to the ironic jokes of a relaxed, Dave Allen-style comic, tossing out barbed Englishman, Irishman and Palestinian quips while reflecting on the historic displacement of Abu Wardeh and his family. Meanwhile, two birds appear and scrutinise the front rows, their opaque intent eliciting nervous chuckles.
A tour de force distillation of his highly honed comedic skills, Peace de Resistance finds Abu Wardeh in generous mode, devoting himself to a heartfelt, physically demanding but artfully cunning performance. At the same time though, he’s unabashed in his demand to be recognised for who he is, for his homeland and people’s suffering beneath an IDF boot, with a roar of artistic defiance.
PALESTINE: PEACE DE RESISTANCE, Pleasance Dome, until 24 Aug (not 12, 21), 9.45pm