Why Are You? Review

Understated, intimate and more like a conversation in the pub with a new friend than a traditional stand-up act, and I liked that

Standing at the bar in the Lych Gate Tavern is a man with a resting sad face, his words not mine. Currently, he’s telling me I am the worst kind of musician, me being a drummer, and goes on to say what he thinks of cover bands, which isn’t great.  Maybe it’s a good thing he didn’t know I was Ringo in a Beatles tribute band way back.  But I’m getting ahead of myself, so let's go back to the beginning.

J R Sharaf is from Pakistan, and he’s not shy about sharing his opinions about his life there, his journey here, his relationship with Islam and racism, amongst other subjects.  In fact, he’s happy to share and discuss pretty much anything with the audience, making him more of a stand-up philosopher who does comedy, rather than a stand-up comedian. 

J R Sharaf is an act I’d probably never get to see if it wasn’t for the Midlands Fringe Festival, now in its second year.  It brings talent from all over the country to Wolverhampton, so we get to enjoy acts in lovely venues local to us at pay-as-you-feel events.

His act is understated, intimate and more like a conversation in the pub with a new friend than a traditional stand-up act, and I liked that; it made the distance between him and us non-existent and a little uncomfortable at times, which it should be for edgy, thought-provoking comedy that doesn’t rely on shocking one-liners or comedic insults.

I think JR is Marmite; you will either enjoy his musings, poking away at bias and typical opinion, or you’ll be offended by the unapologetic political and social musings he uses to express his experiences and life view.  I really enjoyed it, but you need to make up your own mind, so go and see him, sit near the front, and do make sure you hang around to the end to hear the ultimate knock-knock joke, which got him cancelled in Pakistan.