Radhika Vaz has been making audiences uncomfortable—and then making them laugh about it—for well over a decade. She started out with improv in New York before moving into standup, eventually bringing her first solo show, Unladylike, to Indian audiences in 2010. Her latest YouTube special, The Mistress of Mid, released in three parts earlier this year, found her examining the particular indignities of being middle-aged.
Now, she’s back on the road with Lurking, a new show that gets even more personal, covering life as an only child, therapy, drug use, attractiveness and self-worth—and, apparently, one minor sex fetish. Vaz spent around six months putting the show together, returning to years of old notes to find the material that belonged together. The tour currently has eight shows across seven cities, kicking off on 12 September.
We caught up with Vaz to talk about the new show, why she’s keeping the meaning of its title a secret, how she’s feeling about performing it and why, in the age of polyamory, a plus-one is apparently no longer enough.
Tell us what the show is about!
It’s about being an only kid, going to therapy, dealing with drug use, and wondering if being good-looking is unimportant or if that’s something we say to make ourselves feel better. Oh, and one minor sex fetish.
How many shows are you doing across how many cities? Will you be adding more shows in the coming months?
Eight shows in seven cities between now and November, and definitely keep adding as we go along.
How long did you spend writing this show?
About six months. But with this type of material, it’s never from scratch. It’s so many old notes that I went back to.
Will you eventually be recording it for online release?
Absolutely. If it’s not on Instagram, did it even happen?
What’s your elevator pitch for people to come watch it live?
The best, most funny, truly insightful thing you will ever see.
According to you, who would be the ideal plus-one to bring to the live show?
Forget plus one. We live in an age of polyamory—bring four to seven people at least.
Why are you calling the show ‘Lurking’?
That’s a surprise. It’s part of a joke, so you have to come watch to know.
On a scale of 1-wtfamidoing, how nervous are you?
Oddly, not nervous at all this time around.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I just listen to my opening act and thank the universe for everyone who bought a ticket.
What are the last three songs you added to your playlist?
Dum Maro Dum, but a juiced-up remix, Jolene by Dolly Parton and Is This Love by Whitesnake. I’m always trying to recapture a mood, I guess!
Get your tickets here.
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