Simon Kingsley-Holmes opens his show, I Was a Teenage Racist, with a content warning, setting the tone for a beautifully honest performance.

While the content promotes raw vulnerability, the tone doesn’t belong in a confessional booth. This is a stand-up comedy show, and Simon is a comedic titan who delivers punchlines with volcanic intensity and blistering wit.

The show’s deliberately provocative title is a sincere confession. Simon, who grew up in England, admits to many racist beliefs held in his younger years. While he reassures us he’s not guilty of any hate crimes, the shame and embarrassment he feels about his past are palpable. In a society quick to condemn past mistakes (e.g. Liam Neeson’s public backlash), Simon’s willingness to confront and openly discuss his youthful ignorance is commendable.

Simon explores his sheltered upbringing on the Isle of Wight, his time in Belfast during the Troubles, and his adolescent years in Aotearoa, New Zealand. While introspective storytelling is the backbone, Simon spares no opportunity to mock left-wing self-righteousness and right-wing self-assured ignorance. He criticizes the overly simplistic media narratives about prejudice and redemption, arguing that reality is far more complicated and nuanced.

At its core, this show is about growing up and allowing oneself the patience needed for personal growth. While he’s more mature than he was, there’s plenty of work to do, but crucially, there are plenty of opportunities to laugh at one’s past.

I Was a Teenage Racist is brutally honest, impressively constructed, and mercilessly funny. It serves as a reminder that acknowledging past transgressions is a vital step toward self-improvement.

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