Little Lark of London

Did you know that some McDonald’s locations play classical music? Do you know why? Nathan D’Arcy Roberts does, and he’s ready to tell you all about it. Nathan D’Arcy Roberts: Present/Tense is a show where Roberts tells a series of stories about his life, ranging from his relationship with his girlfriend to a hilarious encounter with two guys from San Francisco. 

Roberts is a confident and charming storyteller, winning the audience over from the minute he steps on stage. Even when talking about some more difficult topics like race and anger management, he is able to make things comedic while also still respecting the seriousness of the different situations. One of my favourite bits was a story he told about taking a DNA test and the conversations that followed. I won’t go into spoilers, but let’s just say there’s a bit of a surprise in the results!

One of the main subjects that Roberts focuses on is his experience growing up mixed race with his father being repeatedly jailed for drug-related crimes. Another storyteller may have focused more on the dark aspects of their past, but Roberts speaks with a smile on his face, fondly reflecting on both good and bad memories of the past. One particular story about his father, in which Roberts is at his most serious, still has funny bits within it so the mood remains light.

Ultimately, Nathan D’Arcy Roberts: Present/Tense is a fun show that does a wonderful job in going into issues of our time while still being hilarious. Roberts is witty and engaging and I cannot wait to see what he does next!

Nathan D’Arcy Roberts: Present/Tense runs at Gilded Balloon Teviot, Lounge at 16:20 from 20 to 27 August.