It’s actually getting embarrassing just how many times we say we’re not reviewing work-in-progress shows… only to then write another piece about a WiP show!

But this one is different (aren’t they all?!). You see, unbeknownst to our clown for the day, we have history.

Just over two years ago, I took a group of friends to see a mixed bill at a sadly now-defunct north London comedy venue. The success of that night sparked a regular thing that has taken that group to venues all over London in search of laughs.

And the success of that first night is largely down to its most memorable performer: Samira Banks.

So when we saw that she had a show at this year’s Fringe, we simply had to go along to see how she was getting on.

Hoots @ The Apex is a new venue for us. It has a nice bar, and I enjoyed the fact that the performance spaces are essentially the hotel’s meeting rooms – the perfect size for a WiP like this.

Our clown is still bringing the goods, with her almost timid persona contrasting perfectly with the darkness of some of her punchlines. The material – some of which centres on her Iranian background, and her parents’ immigrant experience – is already strong, but the flow is where I’m guessing she is still honing the set.

This wasn’t a big crowd, but we were joined by a few other comedians that I recognised (always a promising sign), and the laughter easily filled the space.

Samira Banks is building something interesting here. She has her own style and some genuinely innovative takes, and whilst we won’t be scoring this one, we continue to be impressed.

Clown Stars: (-unrated-)

@Hoots, Nicholson Square, Edinburgh