one4review | On 15, Aug 2023

This show sort of wanders around in three star territory for the first three quarters of the hour, leaving you wondering what the fuss has been about. Leila Navabi is a great performer, so this is by no means unenjoyable, just not fuss-worthy. But stick it out through the end, because it – the show and the fuss – will make sense, and it’ll elevate the whole thing.

This may not have been the show Ms Navabi wanted to bring to the Fringe, but she’s gone with her instincts and written the show she needed to present. It’s full of passion and justified anger. It’s not necessarily an optimistic show – if you’re looking for light-hearted escapism, this isn’t it – but Ms Navabi has channelled all the challenges and unfairness into something creative and delivers a cracker of a show, all her talent and potential on display.

Ms Navabi is a relative newcomer to comedy, but where in other shows this might indicate underdeveloped material or an inexperienced performer, that definitely isn’t the case here. Rather it means she hasn’t been eroded, so the show retains a raw edge and proudly shows off its vitality. The show isn’t going to grab everyone – I saw a fair few of wrong-showers – but it is well written, excellently performed, and with important things to say.

Reviewed by Laura

Pleasance Courtyard
21:45 (1hr)
Until 27th