Sharon Wanjohi review: Sparkling debut from your new favourite wellness guru
Edinburgh Fringe
〰️
Edinburgh Fringe 〰️
Image: Rebecca Need-Menear
by Zoe Paskett
It doesn’t matter what she says, I’m on board with Sharon Wanjohi’s advice. I’m buying the self help book, dynamic pricing and all. I’m signing up for the seminars and following her book tour. Merch? Send it my way!
The name of Sharon’s debut show In The House is also the title of this book, though I’m on board with every one of the alternative titles her publishers vetoed. Through snappy chapter readings, fast-paced jokes and occasional and very welcome bursts into song, she pokes fun at the ridiculous solutions we are supposed to have to problems that are WAY bigger than we can cope with.
Sharon’s tips for wellness are different from those you’ll hear about on podcasts with CEOs. There’s no getting up early – in fact, don’t admit to this shameful fact at the Fringe of ALL places, as yells and retching sounds fill the entire room when one audience member admits to getting up at 5:40am to exercise. Honestly, eurgh.
What’s the point though in getting up at 6am to do a little run around the park when it costs on average £1.2million to buy a house (stats unverified)? Is that going to make you feel better about giving a house deposit’s amount of money to a landlord every few years until you die? Do you want some protein powder with that?
No, Sharon’s tips are much more usable e.g. drink so much water to stave off your anxiety that you nearly piss yourself, scientology, bring back fortune tellers…
It’s brilliant seeing a full hour from Sharon having watched her perform at comedy nights – she’s always unfailingly sparkly, she picks up the entire room within seconds of walking on stage and is one of those comedians with such natural ability and infectious energy that you could just listen to her talk for hours. Thankfully, this show has plenty to say.
Among all of this, there is a call to arms to rally against the younger generation’s aversion to being viewed as cringe. In the face of everything that’s happening in the world, there’s really no point in being worried if people think you’re embarrassing yourself – lean into being cringe. That’s where the good stuff is. Screw supplements, this is the kind of wellness advice I’m looking for.
Sharon Wanjohi: In the House is at Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker 2) at 18:55. Tickets here
“Her conversational and lively storytelling style as she tells us about her life knocks up against perceptive envelope-pushing political material. The combination of the two is potent – she holds nothing back”
“Duo Chuck’n’Jeck’s Fringe debut 123movies.com is a whirlwind of sketches tied together under the umbrella of the most nonsensical and most fun awards ceremony you’ve ever watched”
“This is the sort of show that I long for at the Fringe: something queer and weird and extravagant that has an audience hooting and hollering and going out into the night feeling like they’ve just experienced something rare.”
“An absolute hoot. Hudson characterises this fading shine of light entertainment celebrity with aplomb, his frantic desperation to cling onto relevance butting up against the temptations and modernisations of a world that he is ill-equipped to deal with. “
“The social realm is a tricky beast, filled with grey areas and traps that can catch anyone out if they are unprepared. Luckily, Paulette has devised a code of etiquette for handling every social situation you might come up against.”
“This is one of those totally unique late night Fringe shows that will see you leave wondering, did that just happen? Did I and a whole bunker of people just spank each other silly on command? The answer is yes. Willingly, in fact.”
“Character comedian Han Whyte’s drag persona welcomes us to the launch of his new book and a relaunch of his previous works now adapted to be more feminist – at least in his eyes.”
“A show that unpacks this odd existence with equal measures of absurdity and tenderness, emphatically queer, both extremely funny and bittersweet.”
“God’s Favourite is an intense and inspired hour, bound by a combination of zippy writing and a faith in the show’s journey, which the audience shares in wholeheartedly.”
“This debut clown show is more than skin deep, as Maya mines her former life as a telenovela actress to investigate the pressures of remaining youthful, hyper-feminine and emotionally palatable. “
“Sexy baby, harangued ex-wife to a deadbeat genius, male growth plot device… How far have we come really?”
“Her characters provide a showcase for her wide-ranging comedic abilities and allow plenty of space to play”
“The immediate standing ovation that met Mothman’s curtain call came as no surprise. This is the type of show you’ll leave feeling like you need to see it again.”
“She’s dynamic and natural on stage, a simultaneously high-powered and relaxed stand-up.”
Getting to see Cooking With Kathryn is the perfect example of a welcome Fringe surprise – someone new to me and the Fringe, who has created something that fully reflects its anarchic, messy spirit. An absolute riot.
Gross in some places, soft in others, raucously fun all the way through. It’s a clown show that fully celebrates the joy of playing around. At every opportunity, Su takes the wilder option and runs with it.
Like the skirt suit she’s in search of, Baby Doomer is woven from honeyed threads. She wears both wonderfully. Can you plausibly call someone one of the greats this early in their career?
Marjolein’s perspective is a gift and Lein is another hypnotic, lyrical piece of work, and as funny as ever. Even if we haven’t all watched nuns trampolining in Amsterdam, being lost is a universal feeling.
I love all of it. Ayoade Bamgboye has the freshness of a new comedian performing without rules or restrictions. You truly have no idea what she might do next, and she makes it appear like she doesn’t either. It’s thrilling.
There are few people more naturally suited to the job at hand. Molly McGuinness’s debut Slob flows out of her with seemingly effortless dexterity.
I’ve been hearing rumblings of Ayo’s talent for a while and it’s immediately obvious why, both to me and this sold out crowd. His ease on stage, his delightful, sunny disposition and winning earnestness all combine to endear you to him straight away.
