This show takes place in a large and very hot room at the Pleasance and it was sold out mid-week so book very early if you want to see Shappi.
The main topics that Shappi chats about during the show mostly concern the last year where she has been going through a slightly bitter divorce. We hear some of the reasons for the break-up as well as being given background on how they got together (both working at a comedy gig), their married life (he’s a very neat person and she isn’t), their darling son and the cat. Shappi also talks about trying to find a new partner, or just a sperm donor, so she can have a little brother or sister for her child and ensure he doesn’t end up with the single child syndrome. Shappi also discusses her family and her troublesome teenage years, including her long battle with bulimia.
Shappi also talks about some setbacks she has had in her career (like the sit-com pilot she was in before being replaced by an Australian for the commissioned show), the times she is mistaken for Omid Djalili and the terrifying experience when she was on Question Time recently. She also chatted to the audience about schooling and children and makes an attempt at finding a man in the crowd.
I think the heat in the room was starting to get to Shappi at times as she definitely made a few Freudian slips during the show and at times was acting a little strange. Still if you want to see a comedian have a nervous breakdown on stage from heat exhaustion, why not Edinburgh? The audience were happy and boisterous and joined in the chats and conversation throughout the show. There was a lot of laughter throughout the show and Shappi was really connecting with the crowd, and when the talk turned to the merits of boarding schools, I thought some of the front row were going to start debating her. All in all, an excellent conversationalist and entertaining material made this a fun show which almost everyone will love.
Finally, even though Shappi didn’t mention it, can I recommend her book, which was published last year and I found to be an absolute delight to read. The only problem was all the loving descriptions of the food kept making me hungry.
Visit the Edinburgh Fringe website for booking details