Aarian Mehrabani describes himself as a triple threat: blind, brown and bi. In 2023, a fourth ‘b’ entered the equation: a life-threatening brain tumor. This isn’t traditionally a source of humour, but for Mehrabani it’s the key inspiration behind his debut hour, How’s Your Head? That, and the other, cruder interpretation of his show title. Mehrabani is a thoughtful, engaging performer and his show is a delight from start to finish. Both the structure and pacing are well-honed; the harrowing parts are never lingered on for too long, nor are they dealt with trivially. Mehrabani’s interactions with his BSL interpreter get the biggest laughs of the performance, with the interpreter gleefully made to repeatedly sign insalubrious language. 

A minor gripe is that some of Mehrabani’s set pieces feel a little underdeveloped. Coming from a playwriting background, he nails the emotional payoffs but the comedic ones still need work. There’s a fun recurring gag about his love of bells but it feels like the show is missing the big final punchline. While in hospital, he made it his dream to perform this show at the Fringe. Now that he’s achieved that more than successfully, it’s exciting to discover what he does next.

Aarian Mehrabani: How’s Your Head?, Underbelly George Square, until 31 August, 4.45pm; picture: Andy Hollingworth.

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