Everything filed under: Column

Why I have decided to change my name from ‘Shappi’ back to ‘Shaparak’

Posted Friday, June 11th, 2021
Filed Under: Column, The Independent, Writing

Forget small talk, I want to tell you about the menopause and why I feel like a slug lost in fog

Posted Friday, June 4th, 2021
Filed Under: Column, The Independent, Writing

Before lockdown I fetishised being ‘busy’ – but after one gig, everything changed

Posted Saturday, May 29th, 2021
Filed Under: Column, The Independent, Writing

Cancel culture is ruining comedy – it’s time to stand-up to it

Posted Friday, May 21st, 2021
Filed Under: Column, The Independent, Writing

Asylum Speaker

Asylum Speaker

This honest & thoughtful show launched Shappi up several notches on the standup comedy scene, and was the springboard for her critically acclaimed book, “A Beginner’s Guide To Acting English”.
Melbourne Gala 2007

Melbourne Gala 2007
Carry On Shappi

Carry On Shappi

Shappi gave birth to her son, two weeks after this show finished it’s Edinburgh run, therefore she can be forgiven for forgetting what on earth it was about – but she thoroughly enjoyed being a massively pregnant woman telling jokes for a month. Thankyou to all audience members who brought hot towels with them to the show.

The Distracted Activist

The Distracted Activist

This was Shappi’s first show back after having a baby, so she can’t quite remember what it was about, but people seemed to like it.

Live At The Apollo 2008

Live At The Apollo 2008
My Teenage Diary Series 1 Ep 3

My Teenage Diary Series 1 Ep 3

Host Rufus Hound is joined each week by a special guest from the world of comedy to read out selected passages from their diaries.

In this episode, Rufus is joined by Iranian comedienne Shappi Khorsandi who reveals herself to be a lonely and awkward teenager, desperate to be part of a group. Listen out for Shappi’s embarrassed readings of her hilarious teenage poetry.

Producer: Victoria Payne
A talkbackTHAMES production for BBC Radio 4.
1 – Racism

1 – Racism

Iranian comedian Shappi Khorsandi was brought to this country as a child and grew up in a very unusual and un British family.

Her father was one of Iran’s top satirists and the family were forced to leave their home country as her father was termed a political dissident. As she grew up, it became apparent that the Khorsandi household was a little different from some of the families that Shappi had been friends with.

Shappi Talk takes this alternative background for Shappi to host a four part comedy series where she takes four elements of this upbringing to hilariously reveal what it was like growing up in a non-British family.

Joining Shappi will be comedian Felix Dexter who was born in St Kitts and moved to the UK as a child and each week Shappi also chats to another guest ‘on location’ and this time she’s joined by Meera Syal.

There’ll also be a song from comedian Hils Barker.

Producer: Paul Russell
An Open Mike Production for BBC Radio 4.
2 – Unconventional Parents

2 – Unconventional Parents

Comedy series in which Shappi Khorsandi examines what it is like growing up in multi-cultural families.

Joining Shappi will be comedian John Gordillo who shares his memories of growing up in a Spanish family with a very forceful father. Shappi also chats with another ‘related’ guest- and also to Lenny Henry ‘on location’ to talk about his family.

There’ll also be a chance for Shappi to chat with the audience and there’ll be a song from Hils Barker.

Producer: Paul Russell
An Open Mike Production for BBC Radio 4.
3 – Religion

3 – Religion

Comedy series in which Shappi Khorsandi examines what it is like growing up in multi-cultural families.

Joining Shappi is Bengali comic Paul Sinha sharing his experiences of religion in his family. Shappi will also be joined by another ‘related’ guest- and she chats to ex Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.

There’ll also be a chance for Shappi to chat with the audience and a song from Hils Barker.

Producer: Paul Russell
An Open Mike Production for BBC Radio 4.