The world renowned Comedy Store in London, will on July 20th host its first ever comedy show commemorating the Eid, the biggest holiday in the Muslim calendar (which will begin on Friday July 17th and continue for three consecutive days). Hosted by the lyrical and energetic Imran Yusuf, popular acts such as Tez Ilyas, Shazia Mirza, In Cahoots, Pete Johansson, Nabil Abdul Rashid, Tamer Kattan and Sol Bernstein, will all be showcased.
Starring in BBC Three’s new sitcom 'Fried' and nominated for best newcomer in 2010 at the Edinburgh Festival, Imran Yusuf will be hosting the Eid Special Comedy Night on Monday 20th July at The Comedy Store London.
Halol Entertainment aims to use the universal medium of comedy and the voices of prominent comics from all backgrounds to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions of the role of faith, multiculturalism, and values in Britain today.
Halol’s first comedy show in March 2015 won great acclaim and positive feedback, not least from the New Statesman, describing the “risqué, affectionate, edgy and daring” routines as offering sharp insights into navigating Islam in the UK.
Imran will lead the laughs on this spectacularly funny night, lit up by a star-studded line-up of comedians, including:
• Tez Ilyas: Lancashire born, Tez started in comedy in 2010, participating in eight competition finals, including the prestigious BBC New Comedy Awards.
• Shazia Mirza: Birmingham-born stand-up comedian and columnist, Shazia has won Columnist of the Year in 2008 at the prestigious PPA Awards and was listed one of the 20 most successful Muslim women in UK.
• In Cahoots: Paul G Raymond & Luke Manning are In Cahoots. As featured on BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 4's Sketchorama, and The Comedy Sore London, In Cahoots are hailed as one of the most exciting young duos in local stand up.
• Pete Johannson: Pete Johansson is a UK-based comic from Canada who performs all over the world.He gigs regularly in The Comedy Store, Glee Clubs, Komedia, Highlights and The Stands in the UK.
• Nabil Abdul Rashid: In 2010, at the age of 22, Nabil became the youngest black comedian to perform stand-up at the Hammersmith Apollo.
• Tamer Kattan: A regular at the Comedy Store, Improv and Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. This is one comic you do not want to miss live.
• Sol Bernstein: The oldest living Jewish comedian – Sol has done it all and does it again. A legend in the midst.
The twenty-first century has witnessed the development and nurturing of British Muslim comedy, bringing the Muslim experience into the mainstream and entering the homes of all Britons through the internet, TV shows, live musicals and plays, radio, and film. From Omid Djalili’s The Infidel, to BBC’s Citizen Khan, and the satirical web series Diary of a Bad Man, British ethnic minorities are using humour and farce to address issues affecting British society today. This night hopes to illustrate how the same has now been achieved for stand up comedy.
