The Butter Chicken Odyssey

I was not planning on writing a review for this show but after seeing Ram posting on his social media multiple times asking people to write him positive reviews I felt compelled to write one.

I really wanted to like this show ,however I had an hard time enjoying it. I’m clearly in the minority as it has sold out and people in the audience seemed to be enjoying themselves thoroughly.

I understand that Ram is not a performer and unfortunately it shows . I wish he just talked as himself because his acting seemed forced and insincere. The quieter moments when he was more subdued without the pizazz were when he was at his best and I would have loved to see a whole show like this.

The odd amount of sexual jokes intermingled inbetween his food reviews and serious subject matter was off putting and cheapened the message of the show for me. I did not really understand the need for Ram to compare his food to whale cum or how he has mastered his pre ejaculation issues. This did not add anything to the story and just looked like a guy trying to get a laugh when he did not need it.

This show has a very competent director and sound designer that both have clout in Edmonton. David Clarke and Collin Doyle have both been apart of some of my favourite shows in Edmonton. But the abundant light and sound cues took away from the show for me. I felt it would have hit harder with the less is more approach -making a more intimate and honest show.

This is an important story about a man finding himself, his identity and trying to become the best version of himself for his daughter. However it did not land for me. I would have liked it more if it was more stripped down to create a more earnest and honest experience.

People seem to be enjoying this show though and I am happy for Ram that he is getting a big win with it!

An iconic Edmonton piece of history in theatre form.

The Butter Chicken Odyssey is not only hilarious but it’s truly a one of a kind story that takes you on an emotional roller coaster. I found the performance to be entertaining from start to finish!

Going into this I had no real expectations (new to theatre). Ram’s writing has always captivated me online, so I was pretty sure I’d enjoy his performance. To say I enjoyed it would be downplaying how much I loved it! He has a way of story telling that keeps you wanting more. This play has it all, it made me laugh, it grossed me out, and I shed a solitary tear at one point…despite my best efforts to be a man and not cry at a play about butter chicken.

But that’s just it!

This isn’t just about a traditional meal being reviewed over and over again at different establishments across our fair city. This is the story of culture, and nostalgia. A true story of immigration and determination. A story of family and roots.

I just hope there is more from Ram and his fringe team. Perhaps a Donair Odyssey in the future at Edmonton Fringe? One can only hope.

5/5

Ramneek’s Butter Chicken Odyssey was hilarious, clever, and full of personality! It was such a fun, and relatable Fringe show, with great storytelling and plenty of moments that had the audience laughing & crying. Ramneek’s energy and charm made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Definitely worth checking out.

I laughed, cried, and laughed some more. What an amazing story. This was a phenomenal show and I highly recommend going if you can manage to get tickets!

Not only was this a very comedic and entertaining theatre performance but it was also a very touching story from Ram Neek's life. So glad I had the chance to see it!

I was surprised by his level of storytelling. For a first time artist and someone with no stage experience, i was shocked. Did a good job of creating his world, and felt very honest.

BRAVO👏, we came in not sure of what to expect, Ramneek totally didn’t disappoint us. For his first time doing this, the balls it took, you’d never know it. We were entertained throughout, laughed, cried & had you rooted to your seat. We’d highly recommend checking this one out & hopefully for everyone else who’s interested in seeing it, let’s cross our fingers , it’s held over!👍👍❤️❤️

I was unsure what to expect before I went. I followed the Butter Chicken Odyssey when it was happening restaurant by resistant, through all 50. I went to both butter chicken bashes he hosted. But this was something else entirely. It carried his style of storytelling, crass humour mixed with deep heartfelt moments that move you. It was very very good. Funny and serious in the right ratio. Fast moving

Ramneek moves from making you laugh, to making you cry, right back to making you laugh again, all while telling a story that every Edmontonian should hear.

My personal favourite at the Fringe this year!

Thanks Ramneek, you’re a gifted storyteller. 🙏♥️

Ramneek absolutely deserved his sell-out run.

I've seen a lot of artist's "first fringe shows". They are usually not very good. Not because the artist isn't talented, but Fringe is experimental. Shows are scrappy, and often need to be tested in front of audiences and refined.

This show came right out of the (butter chicken) cooker, refined and ready to go.

This could have been Ram's 10th show. I'd believe it. The script was tightly written and escalated at a perfect pace. Ram deftly performed without stumbling, and when he adlibbed it felt natural and he stayed on track.

It was funny, heartwarming, sad and, for a show about a 40-something guy eating butter chicken for two years, surprisingly horny.

While you don't have a chance to see it this Fringe anymore, I would be shocked if this was never performed again. Keep an eye out.

Ramneek tells such a relatable story to the entire audience regardless of your age, gender, or skin colour. The way he balances humor and sincerity into his narrative is intoxicating. You want this performance to go on - and hear more about his journey. I'm sad for everyone who missed this performance (it's entirely sold out) but I hope everyone can experience this show even if it's indirectly through the stories of someone who was fortunate enough to experience it first hand. Well done, Ramneek - I've never been to a better Fringe performance in my life.

As a second generation immigrant and poc, I was really hoping to like this. I am always rooting for new, local, original works at Fringe. I am also a long time follower of Ramneek Singh and enjoy his food reviews for their candor and humor.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t for me. I acknowledge that this critique may be seen as unfair, but this is coming from the perspective of someone who studied critical race theory at school and is racialized. While I appreciate that this was a personal story, I couldn’t help feel that it was written for White audiences. Every Indian cultural reference was explained. Every Punjabi line translated. The story mined very little beyond the classic model minority/disappointing immigrant child narrative we’ve heard so many times before. I was dismayed to see the women characters flattened to a wife who is great at blowjobs, an angelic neighbourhood grandma/babysitter, and a mother who berates and beats her son. Though the narrator gives the mother some redemption at the end, seeing this typical narrative that flattens the complexity of our immigrant parents’ experiences into fodder for the child’s public-facing artistic ventures towards a primarily-White audience doesn’t sit right with me.

Although the jokes were a hit with this sold out crowd, I felt they were some of the weakest parts of the show. The majority of the jokes fell into 3 categories of low hanging fruit: sex jokes, cussing, and North American pop culture similes. This probably wouldn’t be a big deal outside of the festival, but with the quality of creative and subversive comedic shows at the Fringe this fell flatter in comparison.

Understandably, the acting was not outstanding, as this performer is not a trained actor. I found the best moments of acting came out of the most personal, where the performer discussed their child and parents.

Overall, I think this show does what it sets out to do, even though it didn’t satisfy me, and I commend the artist for expanding into a new form of writing and performance.

The Butter Chicken Odyssey Abby Solomon

Like the perfect butter chicken, Ramneek Singh’s The Butter Chicken Odyssey is a rich, layered, and impossible to forget story that truly leaves you wanting seconds. Following Edmontonian food writer Ramneek Singh, this one man show takes the audience on a deeply personal and hilarious journey through Sinhg’s ups and downs with both his Indian and Canadian identity, highlighting his culture, identity, and growing up Canadian. Not only does he carry the entire performance with a confident voice and an impressive ability to command the audience, the rhythm of his storytelling was a consistent tempo that ended just as strongly.

One of Ramneek Singh’s greatest strengths is his heartfelt storytelling that is completely in tune with the rhythm of his stories and the crowd. He effortlessly moves in between cultural and linguistic connections while also keeping the audience thoroughly engaged. His crowd work is also equally impressive, with many locally inspired quips and funny jokes that just made the performance even more personal, bringing the entire audience together. Despite its humorous delivery, The Butter Chicken Odyssey is a telling of a meaningful story about cultural integration and the experiences of a young man that is trying to navigate his cultural identity through Butter Chicken. Singh’s ability to balance comedy with genuine emotion is what makes the show even more so memorable. The extent of his storytelling abilities becomes especially clear with his emotional, expressive features that had the audience hooked. The depth and meaning of his story had the audience wiping away tears and sniffling, only for Singh to shift the atmosphere yet again, almost instantly, and have the same audience doubled over in laughter. Even more so were the technical elements of the show that complemented his performance beautifully. The lighting fits the atmosphere of each scene and helps guide the audience through Singh’s journey. A special shoutout goes to sound designer Dave Clarke and set and lighting designer Trent Crosby, with funny sound effects, traditional Indian soundtrack, and contributions that help elevate the show and create a polished theatrical experience.

Edmonton local Ramneek Singh, well known for his honest and always hilarious novella-style food reviews on Facebook, takes his audience on a journey through his two-year butter chicken odyssey in search of the best Punjabi dish in Edmonton.

Along the way, he opens up about finding his way back to his cultural and personal identity, and his relationship with his family, the only way Ramneek can: with 80s movie and pornstar references, callbacks to his Mill Woods roots, and plenty of Bollywood influence.

Ramneek delivers 75 minutes of continuous content, which is no small feat, particularly for a debut playwright and performer. He demonstrates a clear sense of his voice, personality and comedic style. The show can only get better as he becomes more comfortable on stage and allows more of that personality to shine through.

The show delivered more than the expected laughs and perfectly timed wrestling metaphors. Beneath the humour, it revealed his struggles with pursuing his dreams while staying connected to his roots, making the journey about much more than finding the perfect butter chicken.

Loved it start to finish! His first time doing something like this was amazing. I laughed, I got choked up. An overall fantastic Fringe play! 10/10 green chili peppers! Should have bought tickets for his final play as well.