Who knew the most Jewish show at the Edmonton fringe could be so hilarious yet so touching? Noam Osband’s Canadian debut of his solo show Circumscribed: A True Tale of One Father, Two Sons and A Thousand Foreskins is a moving account of Osband’s struggles surrounding the passing of his father, a Mohel (Jewish ritual circumciser), and the complication relationship with his sons, tradition and grief.

Noam Osband’s performance is commanding, vulnerable and effortlessly comedic. Through a rollercoaster of absurd and chaotic stories, He brings an unexpected softness to the show. His spoken storytelling, paired with a digital collection of moments from his life, brings each story to life and makes the performance feel deeply personal. The combination of humour and vulnerability allows Osband to explore grief without letting the heavier moments overwhelm the comedy, Osband's greatest achievement is that he did not treat grief and comedy as opposites, more so he treats embarrassment, family history and humor as ways of confronting loss.

If you are looking for a lighthearted comedy with more than a few Jewish jokes, Circumscribed is the show for you. A surprisingly touching story about family, loss, and the strange ways we find humour in difficult moments.