Theatre: Basic Training

This is a true story! The fliers, the stewards, and Kahlil Ashanti himself all conspire to make sure we don’t forget it. A tale of showbiz success and military tribulation, Ashanti’s one-man show is a brilliant cartoon, a fantasia of voice and physique. It takes place in a world of absolute caricature, and reassurance that real events provide this, and not just a steady fuel of Full Metal Jacket and Police Academy, is probably necessary.

The American comedian’s show takes us on what could have been a painfully conventional narrative arc, from naivety to success via decency and intense upset. The joys are in the telling. Ashanti pursues success entertaining the military with travelling troupe Tops in Blue, and sorts out his family troubles along the way. He performs about twenty different parts without once leaving the stage, and hardly blinks as he exchanges role for role.

At the end of the hour, Ashanti allows each of his major characters a share of the applause, and then takes a bow himself. Towel slung over his shoulder to show he isn’t in character anymore, he delivers a humble update on the present status of his parents and friends, and then insists on shaking the hand of every one of us (it is a sell-out show) as we file out. No sycophancy here. I give Ashanti the benefit of the doubt. Being personable to the reviewer shouldn’t normally win you stars, but in this case, generosity is what the evening is all about. Shockingly pro-audience, Ashanti cannot fail.

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