Prashasti Singh – ‘The Divine Feminine’ – funny, relatable, man observer…
Comedian tries out her English, among other things…
🎭Details of the next Indian comedian coming to Soho Theatre – see below
By Shipra Jain
HAVING never seen or heard anything about stand-up comedian Prashasti Singh and this show, ‘The Divine Feminine’ before – I really didn’t know what to expect…
Let’s say, I was impressed.
As a single woman in her 30s, Singh is brilliant at telling us about her journey through this crazy ride, called life.
It’s very personal, intimate but also very relatable and funny.
There are anecdotes about her therapy; how she navigates being a successful, strong, independent woman and her idolisation of a woman in her life who was also a role model for her – and yet this woman advised her still to get married – arguing that if she didn’t, she would go crazy!
Then, she fixated on Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut – an unusual choice.
Kangana has her fans for sure and entered parliament at the last election standing for the ruling BJP.
In recent times, she has been more associated with cultural and political commentary and not acting – despite having a successful Bollywood career and playing leading roles.
Singh describes how she was drawn to Ranaut initially, as she carved a career for herself in Bollywood, projecting strength, independence and resilience.
Ranaut twice played jilted brides who come out on top – in ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ (2011) and ‘Queen’ (2014) and established herself as a serious force and one many women admired and respected, as a woman who made it in a world dominated by men and famous filmi families.
However, as Ranaut’s fame increased, so did her penchant for wading into controversy and entering political and cultural rows and staunchly supporting the government of the day … Singh goes through her own personal fallout (from afar) with the star and it’s hilarious!
Then there’s a section about her admiration, possible infatuation with a crazy species called Men!
She says vaguely, she is in her 30s, and then explains that every time she talks about a man – her age increases by a year – it’s very funny, and well done. You are absorbed by her story.
Towards the end of this segment, there’s a sort of disillusionment with that species! And it’s just very entertaining and fun to watch.
She also uses props well and has these huge posters with different characters on them – one is from the classic film, ‘Mother India’ (1957), another is of Ranaut. It all adds to the humour and is something of a masterstroke in maintaining interest and translating some of her work and jokes. It’s visual and highly amusing – she more routinely performs in Hindi and this was her English language UK debut (we believe) and her way of connecting the audience to her material more easily.
Her skit on ‘Papa’ and men just wanting to play video games is worth the entry alone!
Singh accepts herself now, flaws and all…as we all are, by the way, I should add.
She’s funny, entertaining and a comedian going places, I feel.
Acv rating: **** (out of five)
www.asianculturevulture.com saw Singh at Soho Theatre, London
Prashasti Singh – ‘The Divine Feminine’ is on a global world tour…
See her Instagram for details…
https://www.instagram.com/prashastisingh?igsh=Y29maGhucW1ocXpo
Coming next
Saaniya Abbas: ‘Hellarious’
From Monday, February 9-14
Soho Theatre, 21, Dean St London W1D 3NE
