Anu Vaidyanathan: Allegory

Allegory is a work-in-progress stand-up comedy show about the stories we tell ourselves while trying to locate our identity within the constellation of colleagues, friends, and family — all while nursing a pet octopus with digestive issues.

Loosely exploring themes of immigration, parenthood, working womanhood, and the apocryphal freedoms we believe we possess, the show examines the tension between past and present, memory and reinvention, minds and bodies.

The show debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, selling out most of its box-office run. In this performance, Anu will be workshopping new material from Allegory, ahead of its full premiere in the coming months.

Anu Vaidyanathan’s debut comedy hour, BC:AD – Before Children, After Diapers, has toured internationally, including two Off-Broadway runs, Europe (Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Munich, Luxembourg, Paris, Krakow, Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona), the UK (London, Cambridge, Rotherham, Sheffield, Bristol, Brighton, Wales), and India (Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai).

“Excellent moments of surprise and subversion.”
— The List

“Clever, quick-fire observations.”
— The Scotsman

“Super and funny.”
— Phoebe Waller-Bridge

“Original and engaging.”
The hour has passed before you know it. Go and see it whilst you can.
— Vanessa Lloyd (UK)

“A brilliant and hilarious show. Highly recommended!”
— Anil Kandola (India)

“An unexpected gem.”
Chock-full of hilarious observations about life, identity, and Anu’s journey across the world — a refreshing antidote to ‘normal comedy’. Definitely worth your time.
— Rishi (Edinburgh)

Anu tells a woman’s story, a traveller’s story, a mother’s story — the human story — with humor. She never loses the spice of her South Indian origins, nor the universality of the human experience. Loved it.
— Carolyn Larke (USA)

“My favourite show at Fringe this year — clever, witty, and interesting.”
I’d have sat there all day. She needs a bigger venue… and a bar.
— Steven Brown (Edinburgh)

“So relatable and so fun.”
— Debjotee Dutta (India)

“A great show that kept our family glued to their seats.”
Funny, smart, clean-cut, and highly recommended.
— Darren Schwab (Berlin)

Anu Vaidyanathan is a filmmaker, comedian, and engineer. Her memoir Anywhere But Home — about her life as India’s first endurance triathlete — was long-listed for the Mumbai Film Festival’s Word-to-Screen Market in 2016. Her feature scripts have reached the final rounds at Sundance and Rotterdam.

As a comedian, she has performed across the USA, Europe, the UK, and India. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London) and École Philippe Gaulier (France). Her books and films are available on Amazon and upon request.

“Endurance is in the family.” — Harper’s Bazaar
“Inspiring, refreshing, and full of surprises.” — Hindustan Times
“India’s Female Ironman.” — The Wall Street Journal

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Wall Comedy, Grünberger Straße 84, Berlin, Germany

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