EDINBURGH 2026: Review: MAIA TASSALINI: I WAS 22 AND STUNNING, Pleasance Courtyard
Maia Tassalini: I was 22 and Stunning runs at Edfringe until 30 August
Maia Tassalini brings her debut comedy hour, I Was 22 and Stunning, to the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe.
She instantly connected with the crowd, urging some people to move down to the front row and soon holding a competiton for best dressed person in the room, going round a few individuals in the audience asking about their outfits. It was clear from the beginning that Tassalini has the personality of a diva (in the best way) – someone you immediately want to be friends with.
Her personality shines throughout the set, with Tassalini claiming that she is the way she is because she is one-night-stand baby and an only child. Her upbringing was mostly at gay weddings, and at one of these weddings, a drag queen approached her to tell her she looked like someone famous: Monica Lewinsky. From then, Lewinsky became Tassalini's muse, demonstrated by the shrine she unveils on stage.
Midway through the set, Tassalini admitted that she thought 'debut hour' was a figure of speech, thinking she only had a 50 minute set. On this particular day, she added an extra 10 minutes of material in, but this caused her to slip up and forget some lines. With time and some more shows under her belt, this is something that will undoubtedly improve, making for a more concise and sharp show.
However, Tassalini has a natural stage presence and isn't afraid of interacting with the audience and going a bit of topic. She's quick on her feet and handles unexpected moments with ease, something that's difficult to teach. Despite the disjointed moments, it highlights Tassalini's biggest strength: her personality. There is a sense that anything could happen on stage and the audience is going along for the ride.
Overall, I Was 22 and Stunning is an upbeat, chaotic and off the rails debut hour. Join Maia Tassalini at the kids' table at the gay wedding as she discovers her love for Monica Lewinsky.
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