Iranian comedian Sepideh Kaav brings 1979: Persianality Disorder to Edinburgh Fringe 2026, a darkly funny stand-up hour about growing up Iranian, living abroad, and trying to make jokes in a world of constantly breaking news and broken irony.
With sharp jokes, personal stories, and a satirical eye on Iran, the West, war, and the performance of morality, 1979: Persianality Disorder explores the absurdity of being shaped by history while trying to survive the present.
Sepideh asks: What happens when politics isn’t just something you follow, but something that colours your childhood memories? For Sepideh, it finds its way into everything, from first dates and awkward meetings with her boss to the way she sees the world. Can comedy make people look directly at the darkness they usually avoid? And is trauma funnier with a microphone?
Sepideh Kaav is an Iranian stand-up comedian based in Berlin. At the University of Tehran, she was the editor-in-chief of a student periodical, writing critical and sometimes funny articles about the news. She was also arrested by the morality police, the Gasht-e Ershad or Guidance Patrol.nd Iranian politics.
Sepideh Kaav: ‘1979: Persianality Disorder’, 17:15, 18th - 30th August (not 24th), Laughing Horse at Coco BoHo: Main Room. Tickets and info here.
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
Often I fart. I really wanted to keep it a secret because I’ve been lying to my peers about it for years. But I guess today is the day. That was me. That has always been me.
What irritates you?
My bad posture.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Dated an Irish man.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Dated an Irish man.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How many comedians are autistic. If I’d known, I would’ve started comedy way earlier.
What do your parents think of your job?
I’ve only got one. She rightfully doesn’t know what I talk about on stage, so she’s proud of me.
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
Having to post on social media.
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
I think I’m alright. I would’ve liked to have better posture, but overall, I approve of me.
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
If you mean from comedy, I’d rather skip the question since I live in Germany and my tax bracket is 40%. I’d like to make like 140k. That’d be nice.
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
Very important. It’s all luck. I think we all have lucky moments all the time. If you’re funny, that’s also lucky. If you’ve been traumatized and now you make jokes about it, you hit the jackpot. I mean, it’s better that the trauma happens to an artist than to a normal person who won’t share it with the world. So I’m on the positive side when it comes to believing in luck.
Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into a third category?
I’ve always thought you start off as a tortured artist and eventually become a golfer. I guess I’m in the second category but I’m not proud of it, there’s not a single day that I don’t beat myself up for my bad posture. How can we move to the first category? Should I start taking golf classes?
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
Why would I have a favourite person who’s not a friend or family or a comedian? Sorry, I don’t mean to answer questions with questions. Hmmm, well I’m secretly in love with my next-door neighbour. He’s a hot doctor and once gave me Lorazepam, which is basically my love language.
Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).
I make them tidy once every two months, but I can’t keep them tidy. Because I have a life and I wanna enjoy it.
AND NOW THE OPTIONAL BONUS BALL QUESTION...I've asked you 13 questions, now you get to choose a question you can ask about yourself and then answer. It could be "Why do you comedy?" it could be "Do you have any pension advice?" Or it can be anything in between. Seriously. Anything at all. I look forward to all of your answers.
What would you change about yourself if you could?
My posture.
Sepideh Kaav: ‘1979: Persianality Disorder’, 17:15, 18th - 30th August (not 24th), Laughing Horse at Coco BoHo: Main Room. Tickets and info here.
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