By Ron Bingham
Anna introduces herself as Japanese-Hawaiian-Filipino, with a lot more mixing going further back (I think she grew up and lives in California). Her parents, who we hear about at the start and get to see (on video) at the end are definitely “individuals”. A brother and sister complete the family unit.
The show focuses on the suicide of her sister at the age of 13, back in 2007, and how this brought on suicidal thoughts, voices and other PTSD effects. It also indirectly led to her choice of a career in stand-up (which was paused due to a terrifying stalker). The show can get extremely dark at times but Anna is a confident and seasoned performer who always manages to bring us back (usually with some sexually charged reference or joke). There were a number of social media terms and words that I didn’t understand, but I’m old and out of touch with trendy young people and their ways.
There wasn’t a flat spot or dud joke in the entire show. If you’re worried about some of the issues mentioned above or don’t fancy hearing some very spicy jokes, it might be best to wait for the Netflix/Amazon/etc special. Anna mentioned they are supposed to be checking her show out sometime during the Fringe. Good thing too, as this is an excellent show which deserves a much wider audience than can squeeze into an Edinburgh hot box. See her before she’s properly famous.
It Gets Darker is on at Pleasance Courtyard until August 24
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/anna-akana-it-gets-darker