Eamonn Holmes, GB News, potatoes, and ear piercing in Claire’s Accessories (oh, the memories!) are just some of the topics featured in Leila Navabi’s addictively catchy songs in this fast-paced solo hour. Yet, Navabi isn’t chasing fame in quite the same way her peers are on the comedy circuit; when she was a teenager, she had an accidental taste of going viral for the wrong reasons, bringing her coverage from the BBC, the dreaded Daily Mail, and Le Parisien.
Between songs, Navabi speaks openly about the viral hate comments she’s received, racism, and her childhood growing up in South Wales, which, in the performance I saw, led to some great off-the-cuff banter with someone in the audience from Merthyr Tydfil (but obviously, the audience may vary).
There’s a touching DIY element to the show, with handmade props that add extra context along the way. The last display is the strongest, and reinforces just how bad media backlash was a few years ago. Voiceovers and radio clips definitely add to the fun, but Navabi does most of the talking, effortlessly holding the audience in the palm of her hand. Whether she’s dealing with serious issues, like mental health, gender identity, or she’s trying to write a less controversial song that still ends up angering one corner of the internet, Navabi always finds light in the situation.
I hate to say that anyone is ‘the next’ version of a comedy great who’s gone before, but I couldn’t help noticing some parallels with Victoria Wood here, from clever song lyrics to Navabi’s iconic hair. Imagine if Wood was mixed-race, Welsh, gay, and partial to a slick of glitter on her clothes and under her eyes, and you’re half-way to understanding the magnetism of Navabi. Keep a glittery eye on her.
★★★★★
Leila Navabi: Composition is on at 9:45 PM, until 27 August 2023 at the Pleasance Courtyard (Attic). You can grab tickets here!
