Mind-blowingly brilliant, Shah’s sheer intelligence is astounding. Anatomy oozes wonderful, beautiful, almost poetic language and boasts subject-matter so varied and ambitious that it is simply hard to believe the comedian standing in front of you is just twenty-two years old. His vocabulary alone amazes, as Shah is blessed with a command of the English language which leads to addictive listening- somewhat reminiscent of Stephen Fry and Russell Brand; it is, in ways, quite inspiring.
Shah flits effortlessly between discussion of religion, philosophy and self-identity, facial hair, adolescence and sex. His ability to infuse the grand and abstract with the silly and literal is unparalleled. We hear of the ‘hipster Al-Qaida’, a splinter group of gay terrorists and, moments later, are offered statements such as ‘spontaneity is a necessary condition of truth’. This is undoubtedly a comedian I could listen to for hours.
What is perhaps most innovative and interesting is Shah’s two levels of narration as he simultaneously tells his jokes and offers a kind of commentary on his show, and stand-up as a whole. He conjures two separate strands and therefore manages to deliver a quite fascinating discussion of the comedic art form alongside his performance. ‘Not having a microphone decontextualises stand-up comedy’.
This is one of the most incredibly articulate and overtly intelligent comedians I have had the pleasure of watching and I would strongly recommend you go and check him out: a bright young man, full of exceptional potential and fascinating opinions.
