EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: SHAPPI KHORSANDI, ME AND MY BROTHER IN OUR PANTS, HOLDING HANDS, Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 9 2011

A somewhat disturbing Guardian feature in which comedians recreate their favourite childhood photos inspired Shappi Khorsandi's show about how she and her brother took on the world.

Shappi leaps on stage in a minidress, fizzing with energy and eager to win over the full house out front. It's the day after the London riots, and she heckles a young guy for an ill-timed loo break that she's sure is a front for some after-dark looting.

She's discussed her divorce in previous shows, and now she waxes lyrical on the pitfalls of life as a single mum. But that doesn't mean men are out of the picture: quite the opposite. She teases us with a tantalising snippet about her rock star dalliance (and subsequent Haribo-themed downfall), and her brief and bizarre encounter with internet dating.

She tells us her brother suggested a political rant for the show, but while she jokes about growing up in Iran and the racism she encountered on moving to Britain, she mostly sticks to life, love and sibling rivalry, with some religion thrown in too. There's one exception: she mentions the assassination attempt on her father, writer Hadi Khorsandi, which is so shocking it jolts us away from the gentle observational comedy for a powerful and moving few minutes.

Overall, Shappi's show is punchy and lively, sometimes devilishly dirty, and thoroughly enjoyable with it.

 

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