If you’re looking for a stand-up that flirts with the wild side of philosophy, Sarah Ison is your guide to the edge of existential dread. You Laugh, Therefore I Am bursts with raw energy, playful irreverence and unhinged comedy as Ison tackles the paradoxes we experience as the main character in our own lives.

For her, “live, laugh, love” isn’t a mantra—it’s a frantic attempt to claw through the void. Like a modern Diogenes, armed with a microphone instead of a lantern, Ison’s electric stage presence burns through a whirlwind of chaotic philosophical musings. The journalist-turned-comedian veers unexpectedly into surreal territory, although passionately presented juxtapositions—like the relativity of human rights to the work of Tolkien—become more understandable as Ison’s psyche progressively unfurls.

Ison drives her performance with raw energy rather than perfectly crafted one-liners. Early sound cue mishaps set the tone for a show that feels alive, occasionally messy and unapologetically ridiculous—but that’s part of the charm. Her set plunges into the absurdity of modern life, balancing utilitarian questions of happiness with hilariously unrestrained moments, all while keeping the audience on their toes.

Time flies as Ison fearlessly throws the comedic kitchen sink at crowd work, blending the cerebral with the silly, and even a bit of singing to push the dynamic to a fever pitch. Though she only scratches the surface in answering “what’s the f**king point of it all?”, she succeeds in delivering whole-hearted, bananas fun. By hook or by crook, Ison guarantees a good time through her sheer bloody force of will—a performance as raw, unruly and unapologetically bold as philosophy itself.

A word of caution for the aggressively online generation, however: there’s a fine line between exploring rules for a healthier life and devolving into cultish incantations. Sarah Ison gleefully drags her audience across it with mischievous delight.