Kae Kurd makes his Edinburgh debut at the Pleasance Courtyard with his hard hitting and hilarious show 'Kurd Your Enthusiasm'.
Over the past 18 months this outstanding rising star has been making a serious name for himself.
Last year he was part of the Pleasance’s prestigious Comedy Reserve showcase and supported Dane Baptiste on his nationwide tour.
Kurd Your Enthusiasm takes us through Kae’s story of arriving in London as a refugee at six months old.
His parents were part of the resistance fighting against Sadam Hussein’s brutal regime, with his father being injured in an attack.
They arrived in Brixton in the 90s, a multicultural and traditionally working class area of South London, meaning Kae’s childhood was shaped by his place as an ethnic minority within a minority.
In this debut hour, Kae addresses the stigma surrounding his place as part of a Muslim family.
He explores the constant comparisons made with his parents’ life and his own. At his age, they were powerful activists, fearless in facing persecution and intolerance head on.
A hard model to measure up to. Can he ever really make the same kind difference cracking jokes on stage?
Kae moves onto explore the stigma surrounding refugees. He hated the word growing up.
His little UK born brothers would tease him, mocking that he wasn’t the same as them.
He tells us about increased racism surrounding the word and goes onto give countless examples of how those who harbor real racial hatred in their heart live long lives.
Meanwhile the nice ones die young – even Jesus had to die twice.
Just like his own life, Kae’s beloved Brixton area has changed as well.
He takes us through the effects of gentrification and the constant struggle between its working class heritage and newly found middle class status – much like Kae himself.
He explains that he is now getting to an age where his friends are in relationships, getting married and having kids…on purpose. His parents are desperate for him to follow suit and settle down but he’s battling with the idea and describes the pitfalls of finding love whilst trying to appease his cultural expectations.
Kae Kurd: Kurd Your Enthusiasm
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard - Bunker 2
Time:5.30pm
Dates: 5th – 27th August (except 16th)
Previews: 2nd, 3rd & 4th
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