Sophie Duker @ Pleasance Courtyard

Sophie Duker returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a riotously funny journey of self-discovery

Review by Anita Bhadani | 15 Aug 2022
  • Sophie Duker

“Guess my sign!”, Sophie Duker shouts out. A range of responses are called back from the crowd: Pisces, Sagittarius, Capricorn, until someone gets it right. “That’s right”, she confirms, beaming when someone eventually gets it. We’re getting to know Duker this evening – and it’s frankly a hilariously fun experience.

In a sense, a lot of Duker’s set grapples with her coming to terms with herself – with varying degrees of chaos and spontaneity. Exploring her bisexuality, she embarks on a lesbian cruise. “Do you know what happens on a lesbian cruise?” she asks us. She gladly enlightens the crowd and it sounds like a blast – but you get the impression that anywhere with Duker would be.

Throughout, Duker’s delivery is energetic, fast-paced and loud, and she’s never afraid of veering into the strange. For example, one segment sees her listing every famous horse she can think of. Another sees her attempting to high-five an audience member: “To het sex!” she offers her hand. (He politely declines.)

Elsewhere, Duker recounts growing up in Ghana for a period of her childhood, with her formidable grandma known as “Ma” who played a big role in shaping who she is today. She recounts stories about her with a tender humour that’s as disarmingly chaotic as it is sweet.

It takes a certain degree of comfort within yourself to truly embrace and own all of yourself – your individuality, your quirks and everything that goes with it. It’s freeing to watch Duker truly embody that and live her best life on stage – and when the punchlines hit as consistently as Duker’s do, it’s also guaranteed to be a riotously fun time.


Sophie Duker: Hag, Pleasance Courtyard (Beside), until 28 Aug (not 17), 7.30pm, run sold out