Where Is Your Husband? by Anshita Koul

I went to see Where is Your Husband? by Anshita Koul and I have to say: what a ride. The show is built around a clear thread, the societal pressure, especially for women in Indian families, to get married. From the very beginning, Anshita takes us back to her childhood, not just to share lighthearted memories but to reveal the traumas that shaped her and to connect them with a diagnosis she received later in adulthood. This intimate perspective immediately sets the tone for a performance that is both raw and deeply moving.

The show lasted a little over an hour, but honestly, I did not see the time go by. The pacing is dynamic, the transitions are sharp, and each story naturally leads into the next. There is no moment of hesitation, no dragging; it is full speed ahead, and you have to keep up. That constant energy creates an intensity that is captivating, though it also demands real attention.

On stage, Anshita has a commanding presence. Her physicality is expressive, her gestures amplifying the punchlines and making her anecdotes come alive. Even though she maintained a consistent, high-energy tone throughout, I never felt bored. Her charisma and sharp delivery kept me hooked. She does not need props, costumes, or elaborate staging, just her, a microphone, and the honesty of her stories.

Right at the beginning, she picked someone in the audience to keep score of her traumas, which was hilarious and brilliantly interactive. The laughter felt collective, like we were all in on the same secret. And when the jokes gave way to more vulnerable confessions, there was an audible shift in the room, a quiet empathy, a shared compassion. I found myself laughing loudly one moment and close to tears the next.

The themes she tackled, such as identity, family ties, cultural expectations, womanhood, and the pressure to marry, were delivered with both wit and raw sincerity. She made me reflect on how these pressures shape us, but she did it with a sharp humor that softened the blow. As a woman over 35 myself, I could deeply connect with what she was saying, which made the experience even more powerful.

After the show, I had the chance to exchange a few words with Anshita, and she struck me as genuinely fun and warm, the kind of person whose humor comes from a place of authenticity. If I had one wish, it would be to hear more about this new chapter in her life, but maybe that is material for her next show.

All in all, Where is Your Husband? is raw, biting, funny, and moving all at once. Anshita Koul offers not just comedy, but a piece of her journey, and I left with laughter, compassion, and a lot to think about.

The 2025 Tallinn Fringe Festival continues through 18 September with comedy, storytelling, and more yet to come.

Author: Hélène