Toronto Fringe Review: 1 Santosh Santosh 2 Go: Tosh Finds His Groove

1 Santosh Santosh 2 Go: Tosh Finds His Groove, created by and starring the very entertaining Srutika Sabu is a must see! This 55 minute show – that felt more like a quick, live episode of a wonderfully wacky sitcom – made its Toronto Fringe Festival debut on July 5 and runs until July 14.

The sheer physical comedy in Sabu’s facial expressions and body movements had the audience in hysterics from the moment she appeared on stage, dancing to the hit Tamil song, “Rowdy Baby”. Without saying a word – which is what a high percentage of the show consists of: an absence of words from our jester-fuelled protagonist – Sabu effectively set the scene for the hilarity that ensued. Santosh amusingly slays issues that quite literally pop-up courtesy of the narrator, played by Mahdi Mozafari, who presents as a torment to Santosh. The moments that Mozafari and Sabu shared the stage had the theatre filled with laughter, the comedic chemistry in their light-slapstick routine undeniable.

While Santosh himself does indeed speak, it’s minimally and first occurs during the second act, in a fun audience interaction portion of The Tosh Dating Game. After all, love is the only thing that Santosh (affectionately referred to as Tosh), who seemingly has it all, doesn’t have. Tosh’s search for love in the gameshow is voiced by Mozafari’s then invisible but encouraging narrator, who is heard throughout the show.

The same booming voice also plays the role of voiceover in a pseudo-sexy European fragrance ad, featuring none other than Tosh as model. The various segments the show comprises of speak not only to Tosh’s quest for love, but they highlight the underlying messages of the unattainable expectations one can try to meet/live up to in career, culture, gender roles, love, etc., whether it be for one’s parents and/or societal standards. Ultimately, it’s futile attempting to do so, and much like Tosh, one must find their own groove in loving oneself. Comedy with a wholesome message, what’s not to love?

1 Santosh Santosh 2 Go: Tosh Finds His Groove is on now until July 14 at the Toronto Fringe. Show times and tickets.