Following his acclaimed debut Edinburgh Fringe run in 2023, Emmy-nominated comedian Ikechukwu Ufomadu comes to the Soho Theatre with Amusements, a rigorously non-sensical piece of comic entertainment that examines universal themes like “Numbers”, “The Alphabet”, and “Humankind’s Unyielding Search for Meaning in a World That Denies Us Easy Answers”. Now read on...
Operating somewhere between solo theatre, stand-up, sketch and character comedy, Ike’s work defies genre while respecting the bounds of international law.
At the same time, he is not afraid to put the “Show” in “Show Business”. Channeling consummate entertainers like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., he sports a tuxedo and delivers his own jazzy takes on popular tunes.
As you have probably worked out by now, Ikechukwu Ufomadu is not your typical performer. In fact he's very much a one-off, as you can tell from his answers below. But if you like what you read then I very much urge you to invest in a Soho Theatre ticket.
Ikechukwu Ufomadu is an Emmy-nominated actor, writer and comedian. He can be seen in the film Judas and the Black Messiah, as well as Los Espookys (HBO), Three Busy Debras and Joe Pera Talks With You (Adult Swim). He co-wrote and stars in Inspector Ike (BRIC/Factory 25), which won the Jury Prize at the New Orleans Film Festival and the short-form series Words with Ike (FX).
Ikechukwu Ufomadu: Amusements, Soho Theatre, Monday, February 26 - Saturday, March 2. Buy tickets here
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
Hmm… a surprisingly deep question. In answering this, I’m really trying to hone in on that exact final moment/instant/nanosecond before my foot first makes contact with the stage. I think some kind of subtle, inner switch gets activated in my brain. It’s hard to put it into words, but it seems like there’s a quiet voice inside me that announces to all my cells and organs: “Here we go”, “We have liftoff”, “The train is leaving the station”, “The boat’s pulling out of the harbour” or something like that.
What irritates you?
Currently: The fact that each day seems to have an upper limit of 24 hours. And that in order to function, I must spend a good 6 to 8 hours of that time asleep. It's hard to get things done under those circumstances.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
In the eyes of the law, there are two things: (1) drive too slow, and (2) stop at a stop sign for too long - both of which I've been pulled over by the police for doing.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Ideally, it’s whatever the last thing I did on stage is. In my experience, one can never be too stupid up there.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How quickly time passes. Granted, this is not a comedy-specific insight. But there was a moment in time when I realized I had spent about eight years thinking that I only started doing comedy about two years ago. It was kind of wild seeing how long it takes my brain to catch up with reality. Since then, I've tried to cultivate a more quickly evolving sense of the world-at-large and the context in which I'm making and performing material.
Interview continues here
Picture credit: Zach DeZon
