REVIEW: From Mumbai to Cork-bai (Dublin Fringe Festival)

Star rating: ★★★

Maanadh moved from India to Cork eight years ago, which he considers the real capital city of Ireland. From Mumbai to Cork-bai is a comedy show about what it is like to move to a different country, exploring all the ups and downs as we get to know him and he shares his vulnerable experiences with us.

However, towards the end of the show, he says something very recognizable for many people: when you come from a different country and move to a new one, you adapt to different aspects of life, lose habits from your home country, and end up living "in between." Hearing someone else articulate that feeling creates an instant sense of connection.

Sharing his vulnerability is a real strength, and Maanadh is amazing at telling his story, he is a truly great comedian. When he told the audience that he had become an Irish citizen, you could feel that everyone was so happy for him, and everyone started clapping. That is the beauty about a show: even though you don't know the person, it creates a connection between the audience members and the artist, you are living right along with him.

During the show, he made a lot of jokes regarding Dublin, and I had the feeling you had to be from Dublin to fully understand them. Since I moved to Dublin myself, I couldn't relate to all of the jokes, which caused me to lose interest at times, because i did not understand the jokes he was telling, but if i did understand it was hilarious.

From Mumbai to Cork-Bai was part of the Dublin Fringe Festival and played at Bewley’s Café Theatre.