This Review is from August 2024
“Hello. My name is immigrant”
UK based, North Macedonian comedian Vlad Ilich makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut. He has a lifelong obsession with chess, and the boardgame serves as the shows anchor.
Introduced to chess by his family, Vlad quickly climbs the ranks, defeating his relatives one by one, from his grandma to his dad. Eventually Vlad becomes the champion of his local chess club. However, the outbreak of war forces the club to close, putting his dreams of being an international chess master on hold.
Vlad shares quirky childhood stories from his home country. This is not a deep dive into a life of wartime hardship, the comedian paints with broader strokes. We hear light-hearted tales of petty arguments with countrymen over shortages. Later the comedian moves to London. Vlad navigates life as a modern-day immigrant, pointing out the absurdities of British culture – simultaneously accused of job stealing and being a lazy foreigner. The stories are told for mostly laughs, until the show takes a more poignant turn. The comedian’s father is in poor health and so Vlad returns home.
Vlad is an accomplished joke teller, to the point that occasionally the gags slightly get in the way of the narrative. What is it like growing up in a country at war? The comedian relates a complex relationship with his father, and I wanted to hear more about that too. It’s a story many of us can relate too.
Ultimately though, there is a lot of fun to be had in this show. Put Vlad Ilich on your radar. There’s a lot more to come from him, I think.
Martin Walker
Audio interview with Vlad Ilich
Image by Steve Ullathorne
Tickets HERE
Reviews of Vlad Ilich: Vladislav, Baby Don’t Hurt Me collated by the British Comedy Guide HERE
Profile HERE
