Shannon Brooke’s 100 Million Fish in the Aquarium is a stand-up show that doesn’t shy away from the realities of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The Wee Tap at Laughing Horse is an intimate venue under The Hanover Tap that adds to the confessional nature of the show. Brooke recounts her compulsions and shines a comedic light on them, before telling a story through the medium of WhatsApp messages about the time her dad saved his kidnapped step-son in Greece. Brooke’s use of callbacks, multi-media storytelling, and mental health jargon establishes a connection with the audience, joking about her compulsions while simultaneously exploring the profound effect they’ve had on her. Every joke, though sometimes predictable, brings a laugh and a reminder of the all-consuming nature of OCD.
However, it felt like the kidnapping story dragged on a bit and could have been cut down. The WhatsApp message format repeats later on in the show in the context of a Christmas trip to Malta, though this was after she had already told most of the story without the messages, so it slightly lacks in its impact. I was never bored; just wondering if this was her standup show or her dad’s.
The highlight of 100 Million Fish in the Aquarium is Brooke’s fantastic crowd work, returning to audience members throughout the show, and even having a quip for the broken aircon that would rattle at random points — claiming someone was trapped in there. Despite being someone with a phobia of being called on by comedians, Brooke’s remarks made my fears melt away.
The show, while rough around the edges, is worth the watch. There wasn’t a moment that I thought “God, the show must be ending soon,” and Brooke’s camaraderie with the audience combined with her fantastic storytelling makes for a charming evening and leaves you wanting to hear more about her life. There’s potential in Brooke’s show and I can’t wait to see her grow as a comedian.
100 Million Fish in the Aquarium is running until 30 August at The Wee Tap at Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap. Buy tickets here.
Image by Shannon Brooke, provided to The Student as press material.
