In this the UK-India Year of Culture, on the heels of sold out performances across the world and his hotly anticipated Netflix special due to air this spring, accomplished Indian actor, stand-up comedian, musician and writer, Vir Das, is off on his first ever UK tour. Throughout September Vir will appear at seven different UK cities including Leeds, Glasgow, Nottingham and Birmingham as a part of Soho Theatre’s commitment to take the best work from their stages to audiences across the UK.
“Soho Theatre is London’s most vibrant venue for new theatre, comedy and cabaret. 2017 is an exciting time for us as we step up our touring across the UK and beyond. Working with our partners from Cardiff to Brighton, Glasgow to Manchester we’ll be taking the best of our programme to new audiences up and down the country. This spring we’re touring the critically acclaimed Jack Rooke, the wickedly funny accidental activist Panti and the Olivier Award-winning performance provocateur Ursula Martinez. Vir Das is the perfect comedian to continue our touring program this autumn.”Sarah Dodd, Soho Theatre’s Touring Producer With humour and unparalleled story-telling from his uniquely Indian perspective, Vir shares stories about growing up in India and studying in America; Indian culture and world politics; losing his virginity, drug addiction and cancelling weddings just to name a few. Das has garnered attention across film, television and stand-up as the biggest English speaking comedian in India and has proven himself to be one of the country’s top entertainers, selling over half a million tickets as a stand-up. On April 25 Das’ one-hour comedy special will be released by Netflix cementing him as the first ever comedian from India to premiere a special on the streaming service.
‘A warm, personable comedian with an easy command of the stage’ Chortle on Vir Das’ Unbelievable: The Dishonest Indian The special, titled Abroad Understanding, was shot in both New Delhi and New York, ‘It’s a gigantic opportunity! Netflix produces Comedy Specials with the biggest comedians out there. I look forward to being an authentic, Indian voice on that world circuit’ says Vir. He joins the likes of Kevin Hart, Louis CK, Bill Burr and Chris Tucker all of whom also have their own Netflix Originals. This UK tour of Vir Das: Boarding Das is a part of a global tour which sees Vir performing in 20 countries on six continents including Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Belgium, France and Nigeria. Vir climbed the ranks of the Bollywood elite in various films such as BadMaash Company, Delhi Belly and Revolver Rani. The Hollywood Reporter has said, ‘Das Exhibits a deft comic timing and a winning vulnerability… A sparkling comic performance.’ Born and raised in India and educated in the US, he transforms the western image of the typical Kwik-E-Mart humor into a show that is raw, edgy, intelligent and relevant. Das’ performance is a marriage between theatre and comedy, captivating audiences with his fast-paced high-energy delivery and clever wit. In 2016 Das wowed audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a part of Soho Theatre’s 17 show programme. Whether he is on stage, behind a guitar, or in front of a camera, Vir is destined to be an international comedy phenomenon with an unlimited supply of hilarious misbehaviour proving funny is funny.
