Edinburgh Fringe review: Kwame Asante, Basket Case
The flyer, a photo of a super cute toddler kneeling in a basket, makes sense of the show’s title. 20 plus years on and Kwame Asante is 6.3 and built accordingly. If first impressions count for anything he’s got a great young look and good stage presence.
Having successfully negotiated his Uni exams, its medical student Kwame’s burgeoning comedy career that’s under examination at the Fringe. He’s already posted some good grades: he won the Chortle Student Comedian of the Year 2012 and made the final of the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2013.
Kwame sensibly sticks close to home for material. Dating, the economics of student life, that he’s a small town Kent boy in London, his extended family and his Ghanaian ancestry. It’s all amiably delivered and nicely paced, a well judged set with laughs aplenty.
While some may baulk at the relatively short 40 minute set, it was as advertised and it felt just right. To be at the Fringe with such a tight set is an achievement in itself given that medicine is academically one of the longest and toughest roads. An indication that, despite his laid-back demeanour, Kwame is passionate about furthering his comedy career.
Kwame is such a likable young man that audiences, as they did here, will warm to him and go with the flow of the show. Still only age 23, he’s anything but a basket case: he’s a fast developing young comedian with a lot going for him and a good future ahead of him.
Date of live review: 23 August 2014, Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
