When it comes to winning over an audience Paul Chowdhry doesn’t take the easy route. It is interesting that while he shares management with the likes of Michael McIntyre and Lee Evans, his observational humour has much more of a sting in the tale. As the title of his current show, PC’s World, suggests, Chowdhry likes to home in on race and prejudice. I’ve seen his provocative "what's happening, white people?" schtick go down really well. But I’ve also seen him have difficulties with audiences who can’t decide whether his routines have an edge of reverse racism themselves or whether he is playing the irony card on a sophisticated meta-level. If in doubt he can always fall back on his old gag that he looks a bit like Prince. Chowdhry has become a television regular in recent years and has also played the Hammersmith Apollo, so he’s probably too big for the Foster’s Award (his short run makes him inelgible anyway). The fact that he is playing Edinburgh just shows how important the Fringe is for comedians of all levels. It’s not always comfortable comedy, but then you would have to be an undemanding dimwit would only want comfortable comedy. Chowdhry is at the Hackney Picturehouse tonight with Suzi Ruffell. 

Paul Chowdhry is at The Assembly George Square Studios from July 30 - August 10. Tickets here.