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Saaniya Abbas – Hellarious

 
Frodo Allan Review by Frodo Allan 4 Published: 9 Aug 2025 Gilded Balloon Patter House Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-25 Aug 2025

Having developed her material on the comedy scene in Dubai, Indian-born Saaniya Abbas is excited to be able to tell the jokes that would certainly get her in hot water back home. Her material touches on the cultural differences of her childhood in New Delhi, her education in a Himalayan Catholic convent school, and her experiences performing comedy in different countries. There’s also a lot of material to be gleaned from her experiences as a lapsed Muslim divorcee, but Abbas’s comedy is so much more than this. Her tight, hilarious set covers everything from Andrew Tate, artificial intelligence, and dating in your thirties to colonoscopies, drunken WhatsApp videos, and possibly the best armpit joke on the Fringe.

A brilliant hour of comedy that’s over all too soon

Abbas engages the audience throughout her set, checking in to see if anyone shares her experiences and opinions and making sure that references are understood, especially when talking about her ex. Several of her punchlines draw applause, and she seems genuinely delighted to have such a response. It feels almost maternal, as if she’s determined to ensure that we’re all having a good time too.

Of course, you can’t review Abbas without mentioning her phenomenal social media following. There’s a new breed of comics at the Fringe whose fame comes from skits and gags on TikTok and Instagram, and many find that their comedy, which works so well in short clips while scrolling on the toilet, doesn’t translate into a full hour of entertainment. However, it’s clear that Abbas earned her stripes on stage at comedy clubs, building her style and delivery, and she delivers a brilliant hour of comedy that’s over all too soon.

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The Blurb:

Saaniya Abbas takes audiences on her most personal and side-splitting journey yet in Hellarious. With sharp insights and her signature feline mischief, Saaniya dives into the cultural taboos of divorce, the absurdity of internet fame, and her playful take on the concept of hell itself. She reminds us that life isn't about always landing on your feet – it's about laughing when you don't. Tracing her evolution from a sheltered upbringing in a Muslim family to carving out her own path, Hellarious is a bold celebration of resilience, defiance, and self-discovery.