Shappi Khorsandi: The Distracted Activist

Shappi Khorsandi can’t win. Her critics slam her for relying too much on her Iranian heritage, yet the diversity-hungry press are desperate to pigeon-hole so they can harvest cheap quotes on the Middle East. The reality is Khorsandi is not a naturally “politicsy” comedian, and tonight demonstrates she is on safer ground when spinning the kind of gently satirical material that makes up most of this year’s show.

After some charmingly shambolic ad-libbing, Khorsandi begins to recount her life as a part-time activist. From teenage support of gay rights to student anti-war marches, Khorsandi has always been a well-meaning soul. The problem is such altruism has always been more notional than practical. Indeed, Khorsandi’s admits her most notable contributions to eradicating female circumcision involved protesting loudly into pint glasses in assorted North London pubs.

It’s a neat theme for an Edinburgh show and Khorsandi’s conversational style keeps the audience engaged throughout. However, the limit of this informal approach is that it feels a little safe; even shallow at times. Khorsandi’s writing is never going to elicit massive laughs and therefore one can’t help but feel she would benefit from probing a little further into her subject matter.

That said, Khorsandi is a natural comic headliner and never loses her way. Even when later forays in audience interaction threaten to fall flat, her scatty charm keeps the momentum going. Perhaps not the most groundbreaking comedian at the Festival, Khorsandi is nonetheless a charming and solid performer.