fresh and invigorating debut hour
Vapes are out, and wigs are in – two pieces of advice from Sharon Wanjohi’s dynamic debut hour, posing as a self-help seminar.
We’re taken on a journey of self-reflection, peppered with excerpts from Sharon’s highly inspiring self-help book, which she’s written to bring her fame and fortune, or at least, kids and a mortgage. WE deftly weave in and out of anecdotes from her life, and how hard it can be to find yourself whilst battling against the Gen Z aversion to cringe.
This fast-paced show covers a lot of ground, and just there’s so much to like about it all. This is a well crafted show, and Sharon’s performance is highly accomplished, getting the crowd onside almost immediately. The punchlines are unpredictable and surprising, veering at the last second to unexpected conclusions, eliciting gales of laughter. Everything is delivered with charm and sparkle, and just the right amount of edge to make things feel wickedly delicious.
In the latter half of the show, the theme of the self-help seminar felt a bit forgotten, but that may be because I really enjoyed the book element, and feel there has to be an audio book or a podcast in the making, with Sharon narrating. As we were reaching the end of the show, I felt the balance maybe tipped too far away from the central premise, and some of the latter crowd work pieces felt unneeded, interrupting the flow, especially given the time constraints of the Fringe. However, these lumps and bumps are the sort of thing that will naturally iron out during the run, and Sharon carries it off, so it remains a highly enjoyable show. Without spoilers, Sharon’s clearly got a cracking singing voice too, so watch out for a freshly shorn jazz singer, which is sure to be a fan favourite.
Sharon may be on a journey of self-discovery, but those who discover her at this year’s Fringe are in for a real treat, and I can’t wait to see more from her.
Sharon Wanjohi: In the House, is at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, from 30th July to 24th August, at 18:55 at Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two.