Review: Emil Wakim: My Way (Soho Theatre)

Review by Molly Gulvin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When you walk into a stand-up set, you don’t particularly expect to be asked if life is beautiful halfway through, but Emil Wakim does exactly that in his show My Way, which is currently playing at Soho Theatre. In his London debut, the comedian brings his experiences together in a show that celebrates and critiques life in equal amounts. Amongst the humour, Wakim sprinkles in thoughts on beliefs, morals and society, and creates a journey that is fascinating to follow. 

Wakim is a shining member of the American comedy scene: he has received critical acclaim across the pond, including being noted in Vulture’s ‘Comedians You Should Know’. After a stint on SNL - being the first cast member of Lebanese heritage in the show’s history - he has continued to move from strength to strength. My Way plays only a small part in his journey, and it is clear that both his personal and professional history have shaped the performance in numerous ways. The show focuses on the reality of existing in a world that changes constantly, and the struggle to merge ideals and reality. Between hilarious anecdotes and witty comments, Wakim structures a defence of the world as it is now, whilst also assessing the change that needs to be made. 

Before Wakim takes to the stage, Will Hannigan first provides an opening set, which certainly helps to lighten the room. The set itself is enjoyable - being a Canadian in London, there is an obvious tendency to lean towards discussing the differences between the two, and Hannigan does this with clear ease. When the subject veers from this, however, it feels as though the control of the room slightly slips: there is a sense of the comedy running away from the comedian, although Hannigan makes a valiant attempt to keep control of the reins. By the end of Hannigan’s time on the stage, the audience is more than prepared for Wakim’s performance - even if there is a chaotic aftertaste to the whole thing. 

As previously mentioned, no topic is free from Wakim’s examination. The show focuses on the intangible - faith, identity and connection being some of the headline topics - but his writing remains firmly in reality, giving audiences a clear focal point throughout the set. No single topic is lingered on for too long: although at times it feels as though the subject would benefit from more exploration, it is never underdeveloped, simply far too interesting to leave behind! The writing pushes as far as possible without ever venturing into discomfort, and this is vital to the nature of the work itself: Wakim doesn’t shy away from his thoughts, creating an engaging set that his own history and worldview have clearly shaped. His way of approaching the existential creates a genuinely thoughtful set that still makes for an enjoyable evening of comedy. 

The comedic beats come in waves: there is never too long a period where you are not laughing, but I was certainly blindsided more than once by Wakim’s ability to swap so quickly between an examination of life and a quick one-liner that pulls the audience straight back in. With that being said, there are certainly times that the set-up feels more weighted than the punchline, which leads to a few rare moments where the audience is lost. The writing is a key example of Wakim’s bright future in comedy: the set is polished and balances the heavy with the light in a calculated yet natural way. 

As a performer, Wakim is utterly charming. From the moment he appears on stage, you are left with no option but to listen to his every word and follow him through the journey that the writing so clearly sets out. He is adaptive and follows the audience when necessary, but has a wonderful ability to take command of the room, which is used sparingly to great effect. The entire performance feels natural, and even conversational in a way, and Wakim’s onstage nature is no small player in that. It is clear that his professional history has allowed him to hone his abilities and that he uses every tool in his comedic arsenal in this performance. The result is a piece that commands the room, bringing the audience onside at the beginning and guiding them through, whilst also giving them space to enjoy the performance. He is able to play into the hands of a varied audience, with moments that will appease them all.

Wakim’s effortless onstage nature takes a lot to crack, but there are just a few moments where it falters in this performance, particularly in the moments where jokes don’t land exactly as intended. No pause ever becomes uncomfortably long, but some beats are left uncontrolled, and as a result, audiences require just a bit more of a push to follow the overarching journey of the set. Whilst it might be due to a difference in culture (which Wakim himself discusses), there is a slight disconnect between the audience and the comedian at points in the set, although Wakim uses these moments to demonstrate his ability to steer the room back on track effectively, never allowing these moments to detract from the overall performance. 

My Way is a piece that feels so natural in style and delivery, and truly showcases Wakim’s talent as a comic. In a show that hits the vast majority of the beats it intends to with a slick and polished air, Wakim proves that his success is no coincidence and that he has no intention of slowing down any time soon. As a debut London performance, My Way shines in its demonstration of Wakim’s ability to connect with a global audience, even at the performance’s weaker points - a skill I would expect him to need as he undoubtedly continues to flourish.

Emil Wakim: My Way is playing at Soho Theatre until 18th July. Tickets are available from https://sohotheatre.com/events/emil-wakim-my-way/