| Leila Navabi- "Sensationally Funny Observations and Turns" |
Wales at Edinburgh Fringe in the 2020s |
| Leila Navabi Composition- Show & Tell with Wales Millennium Centre , Pleasance Courtyard- the Attic , September 3, 2023 |
The production was billed as: “The Welsh, brown, gay, Gen-Z comedian presents her debut hour: an audacious punk musical-comedy show about the dubious ethics of artistically exploiting marginalised identities for social gain. “Leila grew up learning to utilise and monopolise her 'minority identity' for evil and mischief. Her show doesn’t rely on these identities, but her overwhelming prodigious talent, actually.” From the Wee Review: “Leila Navabi starts her show by asking audience members for one-word answers regarding the future of comedy. It is an idea revisited throughout the show. Not just comedy’s future mind you, but Navabi’s as well. “Navabi says that she is better at writing nonsensical, ‘stupid’ songs than talking about identity. In reality, ‘Composition’ covers both, intertwining aspects of Navabi’s life into one extended musical piece. A real-life excerpt from BBC Radio Wales proves to be the highlight, an incredibly deadpan and bizarre incident begging for more context. ‘”Composition’ is full of this kind of wry humour, with sensationally funny observations and turns that catch you completely off guard. Some masterful timing and delivery ensure that Navabi is already well into the next gag after giving you barely enough time to recover from the last one. As an exercise in daftness, ‘Composition’ can at times feel unparalleled. “What marks Navabi out however is not her style, anecdotes, or even the fact that she is funny. She is incredibly philosophical and at times almost mournful about her journey, from being made a media pariah, to her first encounters with race and identity as a child. Often ‘Composition’ feels like it veers away from scripted comedy and opts for improvised, emotionally charged monologues that bring Navabi’s self-confessed fears to the surface. While she may appear at her most vulnerable in these moments, it is also here that she towers head and shoulders above most other performers of her ilk. It is an arresting, compelling experience heightened by laughter rather than ruined by it. "In some senses ‘Composition’ is a coming of age story. In others it is a damning indictment of the media, of prejudice, and of manipulation. Mostly however it is about Navabi, and it is rare to see such a raw, impassioned performance from someone whose principle goal is to make you laugh. So when anybody asks what the future of comedy looks like, you can be sure it features Leila Navabi – even if she is not so sure herself.” * * * * From Lost in Theatreland: "The show focuses on identity – the effects of their identities, and the expectation that Navabi has to comment on these whenever they have a platform....the songs are ingenious, with punk influences, and witty lyrics. The number about falling in love with the girl who pierced her ears in Claire’s Accessories and the rap about potatoes are particular standouts. Navabi displays excellent writing ability and musical prowess. “Navabi is naturally funny – bouncing off of the audience throughout – especially yours truly. Their delivery has such a casual air to it, it has an improv feel, as though they are coming up with the jokes on the spot, based on the moment. “Composition is slightly rough around the edges and has a chaotic nature at times. But Navabi is a force to be reckoned with, a truly funny person that I’m sure has a bright future ahead. "Navabi identifies as an imp, and there is certainly an impish sense to this hour – a fun, frenzy of a cabaret with an important, thought-provoking message.” * * * * From one4review: “...Leila Navabi is a great performer...she’s gone with her instincts and written the show she needed to present. It’s full of passion and justified anger. It’s not necessarily an optimistic show – if you’re looking for light-hearted escapism, this isn’t it – but Ms Navabi has channelled all the challenges and unfairness into something creative and delivers a cracker of a show, all her talent and potential on display. “Ms Navabi is a relative newcomer to comedy, but where in other shows this might indicate underdeveloped material or an inexperienced performer, that definitely isn’t the case here. Rather it means she hasn’t been eroded, so the show retains a raw edge and proudly shows off its vitality....it is well written, excellently performed, and with important things to say.” * * * * From Lmaonaisecomedy: “The world’s most prolific lesbian Leila Navabi has had quite the last few years, as their show Composition demonstrates. “...Leila starts with just a piano and enters wearing a plain white shirt, which hit me in the face within approx. 30 seconds of starting (brag). Over the hour, they reveal hidden layers to their performance, life and musical abilities with resolute pace and energy. “From falling in love with the girl who pierced their ears, to coping with trauma through writing a rap about potatoes (which they’re far too embarrassed about by the way — I’d be proud to have written that actually, let alone any of the other songs), Leila gives us a whirlwind account of life growing up a Brown, gay imp in Wales, some unexpected attention they get from the potato rap, and what happens as a result. “...The ebb and flow between stand-up and songs is brilliantly done — Leila’s equal talents for both frame each other beautifully — and their connection to the audience is heartily reciprocated from the get go. They express their feelings and opinions passionately and totally uninhibited....here is your proof that Leila is the actual future of comedy.” * * * * From the Skinny: “...Composition is a show of two halves. In the first, Navabi gives us a sense of who they are – that is, an impish (their words), queer, mixed race, Welsh comic with a flair for letting us laugh at them and making us laugh with them. Their musical storytelling is sometimes breathlessly funny, whether it’s songs about white passing sisters, falling in love at Claire’s Accessories, or simply, vegetables. “We transition from a cheek-achingly funny first half into an intensely confessional and contemplative second. Navabi, having established our impression of them, subverts what we think we know as they reveal their beginnings in comedy. “...Navabi effectively lays the groundwork for this section as they weigh up all of their experiences in comedy to date and how, no matter what they do, they will always be othered and treated as such. Sometimes they just want to sing silly songs about people who own horses, instead of being pigeonholed into talking about race. “The calculated unravelling of the show is effective – but it does mean that some of the comedy loses its way. But that won’t matter too much as Navabi gets to grips with their audience and becomes more seasoned over time. Navabi certainly hasn’t had an easy road into comedy but hopefully they soon see that there are people who are excited to see all iterations of their emerging comic voice, impish or not.” * * * * Sources with thanks and acknowledgement: https://theweereview.com/review/leila-navabi-composition https://lostintheatreland.co.uk/leila-navabi-composition-review-edinburgh-fringe/ http://one4review.co.uk/2023/08/leila-navabi-composition-4/ https://www.lmaonaisecomedy.com/reviews/leila-navabi-review-composition-edinburgh-fringe https://www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/edinburgh-fringe/comedy/leila-navabi-pleasance-courtyard |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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