Comedian Adi Parmar makes his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe this year with Sunny Boy,
“Is fatherhood REAL or is it a lie made up by BIG childhood to sell MORE therapy? Join Adi Parmar (gay), as he recalls his unforgettable childhood in North India (India) and his unexpected fatherhood in North Holland (Netherlands) and makes sense of it all using the best medicine there is: Laughter (hahaha).”
Where: Wee Room at Gilded Balloon Teviot
When: 5-31 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/adi-parmar-sunny-boy
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?
Sunny Boy is an autobiographical show. I am Indian, and I am queer, and for a long time I did not know how to navigate my identity. But then I moved to the Netherlands, one of the most progressive countries in the world (Dutch people will say it to your face), where I had plenty of opportunity to explore my queerness.
That has been a blast. However, I thought exploring queerness would mean leaving behind expectations of marriage and family. But then I met a Dutch man (romantically) who told me he had kids (with a lesbian couple), and we started dating and boom! I became a part of a co-parenting arrangement. The twist? I am not out to my parents yet. The show is an attempt to navigate these complex realities.
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?Â
I would say we have all seen coming-out stories; it’s time we get some staying-in-the-closet representation. This is what I am bringing to you with my show Sunny Boy. You will enjoy the show if you are Dutch, Indian, English, any other nationality, straight, queer, in the closet, love/hate monkeys (I will explain in the show), and/or love Bollywood dancing. See you there!
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
This is my first time at the Edinburgh Fringe. I mean, I have been there twice as a punter, but it’s my first time performing in it. But even as a punter, I had such memorable moments. Seeing John Tothill’s incredible show [This Must Be Heaven] last year was definitely a highlight; I remember being completely blown away and left overwhelmingly inspired by that show.
Also, my first ever Fringe show, Ten Thousand Hours, which is a circus/acrobatics show, I remember crying when I saw it. Pure art. I LOVE FRINGE. The atmosphere is incredible; there’s so much good art around. I am expecting it to be a very different experience as a performer; that might come with its ups and downs, but I am still very excited.
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
I think the feeling backstage when you are getting ready for the show every day; I loved that during the Adelaide Fringe, and I am looking forward to it hugely. You know your entry song, you hear it start playing, you hear the applause, so good!
Also, I have a few of my comedy friends who are also doing the Fringe, and I am so excited to hang out with them every day. Since I live in Amsterdam, I don’t get to hang out much with my London comedy friends, but in August we are going to have a month of hangs.
What’s next for the show?
Currently, my entire focus is on the Fringe. I don’t know what is next, and that is very exciting and nerve-wracking! Fingers crossed.