Janine Harouni is on edge, she’s due any day now, but she’s here at the Fringe because the show must go on. Water breaks on stage? It’ll be a part of the show that goes on and a great story for her next one. But who knows what motherhood will bring for Harouni. Will she have to sacrifice her career for her child, vice versa, or is there another way?
Harouni’s got a classic feminine elegance to her. With not a hair out of place or a wrinkle on her dress, perfectly complimented by her baby bump, the raunchy jokes make their unexpected appearances. She’s got a cutting style of humour, the delivery isn’t particularly elaborate or belaboured (pun slightly intended), but it’s extremely effective. There is something about her charismatic aura that draws you into her hilarious anecdotes and punchy one liners. Completely at ease in front of a crowd, her audience interaction compliments her set perfectly. You don’t get the sense she’s trying to draw anything particular out of an audience member, but genuinely listening to what they have to say.
Having a kid of her own lead her to reflect on her own roots. Regaling us with stories of her grandmother’s past as a singer in Iran. Leaving it all behind to immigrate to America and start a new life for her family. We meet her parents that possess qualities we see in our own. We meet her husband who Harouni spends no time sparing when it comes to exposing his antics. A deeply personal show, it feels like a sit down chat with someone who just knows exactly how to tell a story.
Sophisticated in her mannerisms, comedic writing and performance, the comic is uniquely refined. The audience is constantly in splits and visibly enamoured by her presence. Any day now she’ll welcome her child into the world, and there’s no doubt her show will go on whether or not she chooses to come back to comedy.Janine Harouni: Man’oushe
18:20 @ Pleasance Courtyard – Beneath
Aug 23-25
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/janine-harouni-man-oushe
