Jay Sodagar Announces World War 3 at the 2011 Brighton Fringe
Live Review
Brighton Quadrant

Another difficult Brighton Fringe show to review, thanks to its miniscule audience. This time there were three of us: myself, an effervescent Iranian man who fancied himself as something of a comedian himself and his wife.

So Sodagar wisely abandoned most of his prepared show –not that he had that much say in the matter. It was clear who was calling the shots here, the gregarious economics lecturer with the constant, generous laugh drawn to the venue because he, too, was a Sodagar.

The upshot was a hugely fun....well, not a show, but more like a conversation, which is why its near-impossible to critique. There was definitely more than one person in this monologue.

The banter flowed freely in both directions, and it was something of a gear change whenever the Sodagar on stage switched from chat to material. And the glimpses we did get of the show were not promising – not least of which is a title that needs three exclamation marks to show how funny it is.

It started with an overlong anecdote about shoppng in Ikea with his wife which he lent a significance that this fairly slight bit of observational relationship comedy did not warrant. But the World War III of the title refers to Sodagar's one-man war on everything which makes the world bad – but the snippets he gave were rather simplistic, as were his questions to the audience. 'Who's to blame for the state of things,' he asks. 'Is it the politicians the bankers or general selfishness.' Well, it's a complex inter-related situation - can't you ask us 'who's in from Brighton' instead?

So probably for the best he abandoned the script for a chat; and jolly enjoyable it was too. But it wasn't a show - let alone *the* show. For that, another time.

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If Jay Sodagar wants to include his minicab gag, good on him. Learning to laugh at stereotypes is the best way to dismantle them. Getting uptight and judgemental can only reinforce them. I am Essex blonde so well used to my fair share of jokes, but I'd never want anyone to react in such prudishly jugemental way. Your reviewer doesn't know what's best. I've seen Jay's show and it's fresh and funny. I don't agree with all of it but it's well worth seeing.

Justine B, June 2003

Yes, okay, the first line is suspect...but the rest of his show was brilliant, and unlike a lot of comics, he has great respect for his audience. Marvellous!

Bob, March 2003

Seen him twice, was brilliant. His opening line, I take to mean he is not what people think he is, if he said "I am a taxi driver" then surely thats just a cheap gag. He also has some really good Asian stuff that is not stereotypical. Some really good politcal stuff, and a very warm persona that engages you. Lets see more of this bright young comic.

Miranda, December 2002

Dear Mr. Matt B. Your comments have only now been brought to my attention and I feel I must put them right. Thank you for saying you respect me. But such respect is hard to take seriously if, like Mr. Sodagar's, you have never seen my act. I have no such 'Uncle Tom' line in it. Not even in my now well publicised 'Arab section'. Maybe when you take the time to see his act instead of just making a blind judgement you will come to see the error of your ways. Jay Sodagar is unmitigated genius.

Omid Djalili, December 2002

If I hear one more Asian comic come on stage with the opening line,"did anyone order a minicab?" I am going to puke blood. Even Perrier-nominated comic Omid Djalli, who I respect greatly, does this old Uncle Tom line, and it's sad. Black and Asian comics have to walk a fine line between self-effacing and self -deprecating, and because we chose to do the white mainstream circuit it's one we can't get wrong. Black/Asian comics have to acknowledge they may be the only black person in a room of 300-400 people, but you have to make them laugh with you not at you. I have seen to many ethnic acts go there just to ingratiate themselves to an audience and what they don't realise is they do more harm than good. Other than that I have never seen Jay's act, but if that was his opening line, I would be to angry to listen to the rest of it

Matt B, October 2002

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