Thor Stenhaug’s Grateful For The Opportunity is a brief overview of his life in Norway and the United Kingdom as he comments on his relationships and the culture shock that he has experienced in this country.
A bit of much-needed light relief
Stenhaug dissects the cultural differences and living standards between the UK and Norway, remarking upon them with the occasional mock outrage and playing the part of someone acclimatising to the country. In this way, he takes a step back and analyses the UK cultural and social context whilst poking fun at inconsistencies and ridiculous experiences that he has had in both countries that encapture the cultural zeitgeist of the time. Throughout the show he compares life in the UK and Norway, constantly rehashing the numerous differences between the two and making fun of the difference in living conditions and standards within the two countries. He plays it quite safe with his material, and although he does share a couple of embarrassing stories, he doesn’t reach too far outside of his comfort zone for inspiration. Taking on a deprecatory tone, Stenhaug very much follows the ‘write what you know,” maxim in his comedy show. The segues between bits need a little work, as the material doesn’t always connect together. It’s held together by the appearance of an introduction to who he is, but doesn’t always flow together as a cohesive narrative.
Grateful For The Opportunity is a measured comedy show that is suitably entertaining as we laugh at the difference between Norway and the UK that Stenhaug light-heartedly mocks in an altogether very real way. This show is a bit of much-needed light relief.
