EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A Maria Shehata

Tell us a bit about Wisdomless.

It's a show about my whimsical move to London from LA for love, and the realities that shortly followed.

Why bring it to Edinburgh?

It's the most glaring thing going on in my life right now, and it's been a fun challenge for me to write a show about it. I've been doing comedy mostly in New York and LA, where the spots are usually ten minutes long. The hour show is a muscle I don't get to flex a lot as an American comedian.

What sets it apart from other shows at the Fringe?

I talk about life in LA, and being Egyptian, which combined, is probably not a common perspective. Also, my show is sort of happening to me in real time. I've been told I have a weird self-awareness and can talk about my life as if I'm not the one living it.

Who would you recommend comes to see you?

Anyone who has ever moved for love, or has ever done anything for love before reality kicks in. People have related to my show for different reasons. My fiancé and I courted over text and FaceTime while I was still in LA, and a girl came up to me after a show excited to tell me that for two years she has also been in a phone based relationship. I asked if either of them were going to move, and she said "Oh, we are in the same city, we just haven't met."

What's next for you after the festival?

I'm doing the Stockholm Fringe in September, and then I'm recording a stand up album. And maybe I'll be getting married?

Maria Shehata performs her debut hour 'Wisdomless' around London throughout July and at Just the Tonic at The Caves at 8:20pm, 3rd - 27th August (except 14th) as part of the Edinburgh Fringe.