Comedy / Esther Manito

Esther Manito: ‘embracing the sheer joy of having absolutely no dignity’

By Sarski Anderson  Tuesday Sep 2, 2025

Esther Manito (Live at The Apollo; The Stand Up Sketch Show; Hypothetical; The News Quiz) is a comic at the top of her game.

Critics and audiences alike have hailed her ability to eviscerate ideas around parenting, gender politics, ageing through what she terms “the awkward sandwich years”, and the expectations unfairly placed upon contemporary women.

Describing herself as “an Arab Essex girl” who nevertheless “will challenge every single preconception of what that means”, her killer observations have made her a regular on TV and radio in recent years.

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Esther Manito, Slagbomb, 2025

Following on from her 2019 debut solo hour Crusade, which is now available to watch on NextUp Comedy and ITVX, Manito won the Best Show award at Leicester Comedy Festival 2021 with #NotAllMen.

2023’s Hell Hath No Fury brought her further accolades, and went on an extended tour into the spring of 2024.

Poster: Impatient Productions/photo: Steve Best

She is now midway through her biggest UK tour to date, which runs from September right through until February 2026, and her new show Slagbomb will be calling at The Wardrobe Theatre on October 30.

“Youthful freedom has given way to the reality of adult responsibilities and one finds oneself juggling everything while hosing faeces off the garden decking, clad in questionable footwear”, she complains.

“From failed attempts at being sexy, sudden hearing loss, and awkward encounters with dodgy drug dealers, to the brutal realities of a waxing session gone sideways – nothing’s off limits.”

 

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A post shared by Esther Manito (@esthermanito)

Esther Manito: Slagbomb is at The Wardrobe Theatre on October 30 at 7.30pm. Check www.thewardrobetheatre.com for tickets. Visit www.esthermanito.co.uk or follow @esthermanito.

All photos (unless stated): Steve Best

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