Aliya Kanani: Conversations

This was my favourite Fringe show. It is based on audience participation and involved pretty much everyone anonymously. Humour-based show about ideology and thoughts … exemplifies how perspectives can shift, how some are engrained, and how some can shift based on communication and openness… I’ve seen this show three times and each time was very different than the others… different questions, different audience and different perspectives. A safe and very interesting space to learn and grow. Amazing job… the world needs more of this!

We saw the show on August 16. It had such great potential, but the slow pace over shadowed the innovative approach. Aliya Kanani can certainly be funny and I appreciated her audience participation was very non threatening.

Unfortunately we did not enjoy this show. I expected it to be more of a comedy performance and it felt like it was more along the lines of a motivational show with too much “life story” conversation. A few people did leave less than half way though, so I don’t think we were the only ones that felt “not my cup if tea.”

Aliya Kanani’s Conversations was funny, spontaneous, and so engaging! She asked audience members questions and made us feel like we were part of the show. Her warm personality and quick humour made the whole experience feel natural and personal. I honestly didn’t want it to end—definitely one of my Fringe favourites!

Aliya is onto something. Finally, a Fringe show that feels made for a new generation of Fringe-goers.

At a time when everyone has an opinion, this show creates a space where you can actually explore them together. You can jump into the conversation, challenge an idea, share your perspective—or simply sit back, listen, observe, and take it all in.

What makes it especially interesting is that no two performances can ever be quite the same. The audience helps shape the experience, so a different crowd means a different conversation every time.

I left wanting more, and I’ll definitely be back.

A very different kind of show where the audience participation is not just strategically timed at intervals but truly drives the bulk of the content. Aliya Kanani serves as a skilled and humorous moderator of what essentially becomes a group therapy and listening session.

It's an interesting idea and I think dedicating more time to the show instead of just an hour will make it soar even higher (Aliya herself noted this as the most common feedback she's received about the show). The extra time will also build more mutual trust to talk about difficult topics. I thought the moderation of speakers was expertly done and allowed for a wide range of views and discussions without devolving into soapbox rants – I suppose that's also contingent on having a courteous audience, which we did! I would see this again, definitely.

AMAZING show. I’ve been 3 times this run and it’s different every night but always SO fantastic. Real conversation, hilarious commentary, honest stories, and humans being human in the very best ways. Aliya’s ability to walk the line between comedian and mediator is astounding, and it genuinely feels like group therapy. And you get to watch people change their opinions live, which is just the coolest thing, especially if these days.

Recommend to go and see Aliyah in this one. Have seen all her shows for the last few years and every time there is no disappointment. This is a new version of a comedy show which was great to see and what's not to like, conversations on some controversial topics with complete strangers. Aliyah does a great job navigating these topics throughout the show. Looking forward to see what this show ends up being once it is tested out more.

What happens when a comedy show turns into a conversation with the entire room? Aliya Kanani: Conversations proves that the answer can be surprisingly hilarious.

Award-winning comedian Aliya Kanani blends stand-up with spontaneous audience conversations, creating a show that feels different from anything else. She effortlessly switches between laugh-out-loud jokes and more sincere moments, making even unexpected topics (like whether or not you should lie to your kids…) entertaining!

Audience participation is also a big part of the experience, but Kanani makes sure everyone feels included—even if you’d rather sit back and listen. Between audience answers and genuine conversations, the room quickly feels like one big group chat.

Conversations is upbeat, welcoming, and unpredictable, making it a great pick for anyone who loves comedy, audience interaction, that feeling of community, or simply wants to experience something completely different. Come curious—you’ll leave entertained!