“We’re always the first person the other one tries a new bit on, so putting on a show together was less a decision than an inevitability.”
WHO: Harsh Thakar
WHAT: “Join best friends and rising comedy stars Abi Sharp and Harsh for a split bill that explores the intersection of Type-A ambition, queer identity and the chaotic search for love. United by their nerdy neuroses and a spectacular track record of romantic failures, the pair present A Marriage of Inconvenience: a show about the logistical nightmare of modern dating, and their pact to enter a sexless lavender marriage if they’re still single by 40. Until then, they’re saying ‘I do’ to the next best thing: awkwardly sharing the stage for half an hour each.”
WHERE: Just Up The Stairs at Just The Tonic at The Caves (Venue 88)
WHEN: 14:25 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
It kind of is. We’ve done guest spots at other people’s shows before, but this is the first time we’re bringing up a full hour of our own – a four-day run at Just the Tonic, then straight down to London for two shows at the Etcetera Theatre for Camden Fringe.
It’s a bit surreal, because I’m a lifelong Fringe punter. I turn up with a giant colour-coded spreadsheet of everything I want to see. This year I’m a row on somebody else’s. I just hope it’s in the must-see category, which is green, obviously.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
The big thing I’ve learned is that putting on a Fringe show is basically getting married. There’s a contract, there’s a venue we can’t get out of, there’s a photoshoot, there’s money neither of us has, and we’ve told everyone we know the date. We spent about three months arguing about a poster. And at the end of it we’re sharing a flat in Edinburgh for a week.
Tell us about your show.
We both wrote it. Abi and I met in a standup class a few years ago and became best friends more or less immediately. Since then we’ve done a hundred open mic nights together, sung in a video game music choir together, and sent each other the address of a dodgy hookup at midnight so the other one knows where to send the police. We’re always the first person the other one tries a new bit on, so putting on a show together was less a decision than an inevitability.
We ran the show at Brighton Fringe and London Queer Fringe first, which is where we worked out which bits actually worked. One of our Camden Fringe dates has already sold out, which we’re choosing to read as a good sign rather than a small room.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Queer Comedy Club is my local and my favourite place to perform – it’s where most of the material in our show got tried out, badly, before it worked. They’ve got three up this year: Married at Fringe Sight, David Ian: Bad Decisions and Best of Queer Fringe. If you’ve only got one hour spare, make it Best of Queer Fringe – it’s the cheapest way to find the act you’ll follow for the next ten years. If you’ve got two, add David Ian. Watching him do crowd work is the best thing at QCC.
Phil Green: The Boy Who Never Grew Up (WIP) – Phil and I did a few improv shows together years ago and I haven’t missed a run of his since. This one’s about refusing to grow up while middle age closes in on him, which, as I inch closer to 40, I find very relatable.
Alice Keys: Rocket Fan – Alice is bringing an Elton John sing-along rom-com to the Fringe. I’ve been to her sing-along piano nights and her sing-along pub quizzes, and she’s my choir leader. She could get you singing on your grumpiest day.
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