Likeable from the off, Kohli starts gag-rapid, quickly establishing a lovely audience rapport. Making note that the show falls on both VE Day and the day the mass local election results come out, he taps into an immediacy vibe naturally and easily.

There’s a feeling that he’s smart – politically and historically curious, that continues throughout the show and nicely into the biographical nuggets shared of his life living in India, then the US, and now the UK. These bits are the strongest, unique and sharp. Other parts suffer by comparison, with a few hack but enjoyable punchlines landing but feeling lazy against the light of the good stuff.

‘Denial’ is a show of mismatched temperaments essentially. Kohli’s comedic voice has yet to decide its tone, flip flopping awkwardly between high and low brow. There’s some enjoyable swearing – satisfyingly subversive in his respectable approach and Indian accent, but then a couple of surprising masturbation punchlines feel totally at odds to the more considered and clever political gags regarding global history. They are daring in their opening up of British history from another perspective, educating and entertaining, gently poking at minds to open up and consider our own ignorance at such huge swathes of Empire from Britain’s further past and America’s more recent activities. It’s the fresh thoughts that make them ripe for the humour he mines, and what marks him out as different. Gentle rib-tickling ribbing. Not hitting the mark every time, but hitting something different and precious.

So when Kohli returns to more well-trodden ground of poor sexual performance or a Dumbledore punchline, the contrast is clunky.

There’s a lot to enjoy in ‘Denial’, not least almost an hour in the company of this sweetly charming and engaging comedian. It’s easy to see the five star show of the future in his workings and intellect, his eye for the quirk and the unexpected perspective. Kohli’s writing is quick, and his eye for a punchline sharp. Once all of that is present all the way through every bit of his show, you can bet nothing will stop him.

Brighton Fringe details here. 

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