To do a show about a place you’ve never been is an interesting premise and Jerome Chandrahasen’s show is just as interesting. This is my first visit to Ivy as a comedy venue and it’s delightful. A very intimate audience on three sides around a small stage with a mic: get in quick for a good seat on a variety of chairs. 

We await the start which is held for two groups and Chandrahasen takes full advantage (the Curry family may never live it down) of both the bonus material it provides and the close setting to get us on side. We also have a family from Finland in tonight so the stakes are high. 

Chandrahasen has an easy flow and by five minutes in we know at least three interesting, fun things about Finland, not the least of which is the amazing number of lakes it has. While we get a wonderful tour of Finland and its psyche we also sit back in the hands of very good comic on form.  

He works the room well and we, at turns, are on his side with the attempted heckler and giggling our way through his material. Covering snipers and which arm of Ultron’s was the blue dog, he easily takes us on a really cool journey through a place so similar and yet so dissimilar to our own. The Finnish family are delighted with his Finnish and there are many nods of recognition at what he’s saying.

If you’re after a great time this is a show for you. Chandrahasen is fluid, funny , casual and brilliant: a comedian in his prime. Quite the happy ending and a great finnish. 

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