Спектакль «Best. Dad. Never» в Эдинбурге исследует тему отцовства и межпоколенческой травмы

Fringe Review: Best. Dad. Never, Just The Tonic, three stars Haig ‘Hike’ Chahinian, a middle-aged gay Armenian-American, turns a lifetime of experiences into an intimate piece of stand-up. Willing to expose his own insecurities and contradictions, he explores family disapproval of his sexuality, the legacy of genocide and the anger that can be passed from one generation to the next. Happily married, he reflects on the complicated journey through parenthood, from navigating the adoption system to becoming the father of a Black biracial girl. Striving to be the best dad ever, Chahinian is forced to confront questions of identity, racism and prejudice. He weaves together lived experiences, including meeting his daughter’s biological mother before the adoption was approved, and years later, when his growing daughter decided she wanted to meet her. These stories bring a personal dimension to his wider reflections on what it means to be a parent and the responsibility that comes with it. Read more Some of the most compelling moments come when he considers how our own trauma can affect the way we perceive other people, as well as what, in effect, we teach our children. Past experiences can make us suspicious of others’ intentions and encourage us to see ourselves as victims. They can lead us to pass judgement based on the stereotypes we have inherited. Chahinian reflects how easily anger and prejudice can be passed down, and on the responsibility of breaking that cycle. He is an engaging storyteller, giving an honest and often touching performance. The gentle pace may suit the reflective nature of the material, but some viewers may find themselves missing the energy and momentum associated with stand-up. The dad jokes do not always land as strongly as the more thoughtful observations. His performance becomes less a traditional stand-up routine and more a reflection on life, parenthood and what we carry with us. The comedy feels almost secondary to what he is trying to explore. What makes the performance worthwhile is an examination of how our experiences shape the way we see the world, and how difficult, but important, it is to acknowledge those patterns if we are to avoid contributing to generational trauma. It is ultimately a touching reminder that being a good parent is not about being free of flaws, but about being honest about them and admitting when we make mistakes, so our children can learn to identify them and understand how to do better. Until August 30 Follow all of our dedicated coverage and subscribe to the Edinburgh Festivals Diary here: Edinburgh festivals coverage