Review: Shalaka Kurup – Get A Grip, Fringe 2025

Making her Edinburgh Fringe debut, Shalaka Kurup arrives with considerable buzz as one of Chortle’s ‘Hotshots’ for 2025.

In Get A Grip, she presents an hour of comedy wrestling with a very modern affliction: the desperate need to be the main character. Kurup’s quest for a personal ‘plot’ takes her to some dark and unexpected places, delivering a show that is as intelligent as it is shocking.

The Main Character

The central thread of Kurup’s show is her unwavering belief that life should have a narrative arc and that she must be its protagonist. This conviction is so strong that even being bullied at school is twisted into evidence of her own importance; after all, who else would be the centre of such drama? This is the core of her worldview, a lens through which every experience is filtered.

This quest for plot takes a much darker turn with an anecdote from her time as a support worker on a mental health phoneline. Kurup recounts a call from a notorious woman who shared details of her proclivities with a pet dog. While the specifics are thankfully omitted, the implication is enough to send a chill through the room and, in the world of the show, send Kurup herself into counselling.

For Kurup, the resulting therapist’s appointment isn’t just about processing trauma; it’s an opportunity. A potential diagnosis becomes the ultimate prize, the concrete ‘plot point’ she has been searching for. This fixation could easily make her seem vain or self-absorbed, but Kurup’s sharp writing and delivery prevent the show from ever feeling that way.

Confidence and Charisma

Any risk of Kurup appearing vapid is immediately dispelled by her formidable intelligence and stage presence. She holds a PhD in a male-dominated sector, a testament to her resilience and intellect that shine through her performance. She is open, honest, and utterly charismatic, winning the audience over even as she leads them through uncomfortable territory.

Get A Grip is constructed with the precision of a thriller. The foreshadowing is so subtle that when the punchlines land, they hit with the force of a genuine surprise. There are moments of realisation that ripple through the audience, and “you might kick yourself at your slowness to react when the hindsight is so clear.”

As a person of colour, Kurup speaks to the challenges she has overcome with wit and aplomb. She has a masterful command of the room, turning potentially alienating stories into moments of shared, albeit sometimes nervous, laughter.

Overall

This is not a gig for the faint of heart. It’s certainly not one to take your parents or work colleagues to, and it might make for a tense date night. However, with that significant caveat, Shalaka Kurup: Get A Grip is a daring and brilliantly constructed debut from a comedian with a huge future. For those who appreciate dark, smart, and provocative comedy, this is a must-see.