Review: Saaniya Abbas: Hellarious, Soho Theatre

In Islam, if something is haram it is prohibited. Alcohol and pork are two of the most well-known things, but by her own admission comedian Saaniya Abbas, as a non-practicing Muslim, might add her show onto the list. In Hellarious, on at the Soho Theatre before touring around the UK, she confronts what might be haram or taboo in a sharp hour of stand-up and talks us through all the things that her mum would say is sending her straight to hell.

Coming to the UK from India via Dubai and time in the USA, Abbas strikes a perfect tone for a Soho audience. Her spot-on cultural comparisons are the right amount of judgemental and ridiculous, and capitalise on Brits’ capacity to laugh at ourselves. In fact, we are treated to some extra special jokes that would have landed her in a spot of bother in Dubai, so catch her in the UK for additional spice.

The smorgasbord of silly cultural traits that she picks on is one of the strengths of Hellarious and draws us close to keep us connected to Abbas’ own jabs at herself. She takes some pretty strong but absolutely fair swipes at how Britain looks right now, especially in light of a man formerly known as a prince and others appearing in more island-related news…

Abbas comes across as incredibly endearing on stage. Small but very feisty, she is equally gentle and cutting at the same time. Her cheeky nature doesn’t save her from some awkwardness in the audience work, but her snappy wit turns things around fast enough. It’s easy to sense where her penetrating observational style comes from when she starts interacting with the audience live. She talks about cutting her teeth in comedy by performing as much as possible to hone her skills, and we can tell this practice paid off.

Wordplay is one of her strengths, and quick punchlines hit the right spot. While the laughs might have come bigger and faster around the middle of the hour-long Hellarious, a compelling story is built and feels cleverly put together, even if it is a pretty wild journey to get from Islam to sexy fish.

Most of the show is constructed around Abbas’ life, the trials and tribulations, the haram and the heartbreak. After all, how else can someone cope with all the challenges that come from moving to different countries, setting themselves up as a comedian, and a tricky divorce, if not to make jokes about it? But ultimately Hellarious is a celebration of coming out the other side laughing, and Abbas does not shy away from the dark, the difficult and the messy, managing to turn everything joyful.

Creatives here

Hellarious plays at the Soho Theatre until Saturday 14 February, and tours the UK until 1 March.