Finally, I'm talking about my Iranian background...
Patrick Monahan on his most personal show yet
This is my most personal show to date! The only thing I don’t tell you in this show is my bank card’s PIN number, and that’s only because I can’t remember it cos I’ve been tapping the Apple Pay so much.
This show talks about my life from the beginning to explain why I’m the person I am today. Some of the stuff might surprise you, it even surprised me, and I’ve already lived this life. Growing up with three different languages in the house, and not one of them was English!
Living in half a dozen homes before I’d even turned 18, was to shape my life to come. It was either do comedy or work for Amazon deliveries.
As well as pulling together personal stories from my childhood, into adulthood. I’ve even done some tests to confirm the madness.
I started writing this show, many months before Trump started bombing my country of birth, Iran. I grew up in Ahvaz, in South West Iran, a stone’s throw from the Strait of Hormuz. Gowever I wouldn’t recommending throwing any stones at it, as that could start another conflict and end a 37th peace deal by Trump Towers.
Without giving away too much of the show here, it explores why I was treated as a terrorist and - even more baffling – why people now say to me, ’Is it really a good time to talk about terrorism?’
When exactly is it really a good time to talk about terrorism? Is it when terrorists are only using glitter and confetti guns instead of Semtex?
The show is called I’m Not A Terrorist, and after many years of writing stand-up shows, with tongue-in-cheek titles, this is a cheeky title with an expressive tongue.
Also, I’d feel like I’d be letting down a lot of people who from immigrant backgrounds in today’s changing world of hostilities.I’d feel that if I didn’t speak up, I’d be burying my head in the sand!
I know there are a lot of people who are positive towards immigrants, but that’s preaching to the converted. My new show is to show people who think that immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers are bad because they don’t fit in or get on with local people. Actually we get on better with local people more than local people get on with each other!
And it’s probably nice to hear about what life is like for immigrants from an immigrant background, rather than from someone who’s done a masters degree in it at Oxford university!
This is my first hour in my professional life, where I get to talk about and answer back all the years of false labelling. From friends, enemies, nearest and dearest. I’m not a terrorist. But don’t take my word for it. Come to the show and find out why.
• Patrick Monahan: I'm Not A Terrorist – I'm Freddie Mercury is on at Gilded Balloon Patter House at 21:00
Published: 12 Aug 2026
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Products
DVD (2011)
Patrick Monahan Live
Past Shows
Edinburgh Fringe 2009
Patrick Monahan: Cowboys & Iranians
Patrick Monahan's Stories And Fables For Kids That Like To Sit At Tables!
Edinburgh Fringe 2010
Patrick Monahan's Brand New Stories And Tales For Kids That Can Run Faster Than Snails
Edinburgh Fringe 2011
Patrick Monahan: Hug Me I Feel Good
Patrick Monahan: Stories and Fairytales of Travels For Kids That Dance Like Camels
Edinburgh Fringe 2013
Patrick Monahan and Bob Slayer Set A World Record!
Yori Yori Love Chat Luisa and Pat
Agent
We do not currently hold contact details for Patrick Monahan's agent. If you are a comic or agent wanting your details to appear here, for a one-off fee of £59, email steve@chortle.co.uk.
