Comedian Prashasti Singh is delivering a powerful and witty performance in London, dissecting modern life and gender roles in her acclaimed show 'Divine Feminine'. The standup hour is currently running at the capital's Soho Theatre, with performances scheduled until 20 December.
Navigating Singledom and Societal Expectations
Singh's compelling material centres on her experience as a thirtysomething unmarried woman in contemporary India. The show cleverly shuttles between self-deprecating humour about her personal foibles and sharper observations on the nation's progress towards female liberation. She articulates the confusion of growing up wishing to be a man due to a lack of inspiring female role models, a sentiment undercut by a high-achieving relative who warned her against spinsterdom.
This sets the stage for a performance rich in contradiction, where pride in hard-won independence clashes with anxiety about an irreversible descent into "crazy lady" status. Singh even shares therapy advice suggesting she reframe her sadness as a colourful personality trait, a notion she explores with both heart and humour.
A Cultural Critique with Universal Appeal
While the show's core is deeply rooted in the specifics of Indian gender politics, its themes of self-improvement and societal pressure resonate widely. Singh, who also performs the show in Hindi, includes knowing asides about figures like Bollywood star-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, presenting a nuanced, mixed-faceted view that reflects her complex take on her homeland.
The performance remains engaging for audiences unfamiliar with the cultural context, balancing silly-smart comedy with arresting insights. Her critique of the opposite sex is delivered with a wry, taken-for-granted assurance that lands perfectly.
A Heartfelt, Doomed Quest for Balance
The show's conclusion finds Singh persuaded by a self-help podcast to connect with her "divine feminine" and reject the masculine rat race. The audience is left with the certain knowledge that this endeavour is doomed to fail, yet the journey is profoundly amusing.
In her heartfelt attempt to square the vicious circles of freedom and femininity, Prashasti Singh proves herself a distinctive voice in comedy. Her hour at the Soho Theatre offers not just laughs, but a thoughtful, relatable exploration of the pressures of modern womanhood.
