Review: An Audience with Imran Yusuf ****

Imran Yusuf is the first British Muslim comedian to break big. Shazia Mirza, you may have heard of, Jeff Mirza, probably only if you know the scene. Yusuf, however, has found mainstream appeal thanks to a storming appearance on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.

His winning performance ensured a sell-out in the small studio theatre of the Alhambra. If Yusuf returns, expect to see him at St George’s or the Alhambra’s mainstage.

The roadshow appearance was a stripped down version of the hour-long show that Yusuf performed at the Edinburgh Free Fringe last year, winning five-star reviews and admiration for a new talent.

Yusuf’s act tackles multiculturalism and some of the big issues facing Muslims in Britain today with intelligence and great wit. Is he a Muslim in Britain or a British Muslim, he asks? The answer is demonstrated by the fact that someone accidentally hit him in the eye on the tube in London – and he apologised – it doesn’t come more British than that.

Yusuf needs more time to bring structure into his act, but when he gets to the heart of his message his influences are very clear – Yusuf has watched a lot of Bill Hicks.

Crack the structure of his show and he could be Britain’s first Muslim comedy superstar.