DEMI ADEJUYIGBE IS GOING TO DO ONE (1) BACKFLIP

Soho Theatre

★★★★★

“it is Demi’s charisma, energy and warmth which shoot the show onto a whole other level”

Demi Adejuyigbe is Going to Do One (1) Backflip is a delight from beginning to end. By Demi’s own admission the show is ‘so f*ing dumb’. But that is the glory of it.

Nominated for Best Newcomer at Edinburgh Fringe 2024, Demi Adejuyigbe has shot onto the U.K. comedy scene, despite hailing from LA, with his own brand of joyous offbeat musical comedy.

In a self-aware twist on the stand-up tradition of exploring identity, this show is unapologetically impersonal. Demi has heard his crush (Marge Simpson) thinks backflips are cool, so he’s going to do one live on stage. But before that he’s going to take us through the best ways to impress a crush, from teaching them about jazz, to solving racism. Hopefully the interruptions from various celebrity phone calls won’t ruin Demi’s chances with his crush!

The show is structured as a presentation, using AV, but there’s also pre-recorded elements, an on-stage keyboard, a mysterious box where audience members are encouraged to write their names, and at one point, a robot.

The presentation becomes a series of musical bits, each spiralling further into an atmosphere of general silliness. Demi’s relaxed style makes a thoroughly scripted and impeccably planned show feel fresh and off the cuff. The world is so well constructed that it briefly seems plausible that Barack Obama is really calling him.

The show is fun, and divorced from reality, but it is not empty escapism. There are topical elements, and moments where the darkness of the world bleeds briefly into the show, before Demi shakes it off and returns to a delightful musical number.

The script itself is so cleverly composed that someone else could follow the beats and perform the piece. However, it is Demi’s charisma, energy and warmth which shoot the show onto a whole other level. His cheeky, knowing vibe gives depth to the absurdity and allows the audience to float away on the tide of the madness.

This show is specific and odd, but Demi Adejuyigbe entirely pulls it off. It’s a piece oozing with zany originality which will stay with you for weeks to come.

Demi Adejuyigbe is performing at Soho Theatre until Saturday 15 February, and will perform at Fairfield Social Club, Manchester on Sunday 16 February.

DEMI ADEJUYIGBE IS GOING TO DO ONE (1) BACKFLIP

★★★★★

Soho Theatre

DEMI ADEJUYIGBE IS GOING TO DO ONE (1) BACKFLIP

Soho Theatre

★★★★★

“it is Demi’s charisma, energy and warmth which shoot the show onto a whole other level”