Urooj Ashfaq is trying a new style at this year’s Fringe, this time she is not playing nice.
After a bad review, Urooj (don’t call her Ashfaq – which refers to her dad as she points out) is changing things up and becoming a baddie. She wants to take things to the next level and talk about raunchier subjects.
The audience is at the complete mercy of Urooj, she has them roaring with laughter and completely engrossed in her performance. She is comfortable enough to make extremely accurate and funny remarks about them off the bat.
A self proclaimed atheist, feminist and liberal, Urooj grew up being told she talked too much. Now this plays to her advantage, she is quick thinking and quick witted.
Undeniably, my favourite part of the show is when Urooj reads from her One Direction fan fiction. Discussing the recent age restrictions on pornography, she shares her love of erotic novels. Urooj recreates the scene with complete dedication, she is playful as she plays out the absurd scenario of her mother selling her to the band for drugs.
How To Be a Baddie covers Urooj’s life in India, often comparing how different jokes are in different countries. She talks about growing up Muslim and finding her identity. She often makes comments about what it is like to be an outspoken woman in the country, however funny these may be, they are still tinged with melancholy.
Urooj Ashfaq is untouchable in this show, every joke is a hit and it is unquestionably one of the loudest crowds I have heard this year.
Urooj Ashfaq: How to Be a Baddie, 18:25, Monkey Barrel 4 at Monkey Barrel Comedy, until 24th August
Urooj Ashfaq: How to Be a Baddie | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
