Saaniya Abbas's Unforgettable Five gigs

Dubai-based Indian comic Saaniya Abbas is bringing her Edinburgh Fringe hit Hellarious to London’s Soho Theatre next month,. Here she recalls five of her most memorable gigs… 

1. The Gig that unlocked my Crowd-Work 

The Habitat, Mumbai 2024

I had always been scared of crowd work - I’ve been a severe introvert since childhood and talking to strangers has never been easy. But when I performed in India for the first time, it felt like walking into a room full of strangers who had somehow known me my entire life. Bombay was exceptional. There was a sort of magic in the air. They were so warm and wonderful and familiar in a way I can’t really explain.

For the first time ever, I managed to do a lot of crowd work without falling apart. And something shifted in me that night. After that show, I could do crowd work anywhere.

2. The Accidental Opening Act

Bangalore, 2024

I had to use the ladies’ room right before the show. The audience was already seated and waiting for the opening act, so I ran to the toilets as fast as I could. In all the rush… I forgot to lock the door. An audience member opened it and saw - well, let’s just say she witnessed a very unglamorous moment.

When I went on stage, I immediately spotted her. I had to address it. I asked her if she enjoyed the show before the show. It ended up being very funny, and honestly it broke the ice.

3. The Gig with the Cats

New York Comedy Festival, The Stand, 2025

This was perhaps my best show to date. It was the extra show added because the first one had sold out, so I suppose this audience was extra grateful to be there. The laughs were huge, the energy was incredible, and several people in the audience (men and women) wore cat ears. [As she does]

At the end, they clapped for so long and so loudly that I genuinely thought I was about to cry on stage. I think about that moment often. 

4. The Singapore Fall Special

Singapore, 2025

I flew to Singapore for two days to do my show. As they called me on stage, the room full of people clapped - and then the applause turned into a massive gasp because I fell down quite terribly while climbing on stage. I fell on my shin and straight onto my face. But I tried to play it off like it was on purpose by turning to the audience from the floor, laughing, and striking a pose. The next hour went well, but my shin swelled up a bit.

And then - for some reason my brain still can’t justify - at the end of the show I decided it would make sense to fall again ‘to close the loop’ and convince them it had been intentional. So... I fell again. On the same damaged shin. And crawled off stage. I don't think anything on earth can embarrass me now.

5. The Cellar Audition

The Comedy Cellar, New York, 2025

This was a huge deal for me. I was shaking before I got on stage. But once I actually started performing, I felt completely at home. Then I got off stage and blacked out. I barely remember the next few minutes. 

The booker was talking to me but I couldn’t process anything because of how nervous I’d been. My imposter syndrome convinced me I’d failed, and I continued to believe this for the next 30 minutes, sitting sadly in a booth. 

My manager Jodi then told me I had passed. I asked her to double and triple check for the next few days until I finally believed it.

• Saaniya Abbas is at Soho Theatre from February 9 to 14. More details here

Published: 13 Jan 2026