“Imran Yusuf's show heralds the birth of a new comedy star” Time Out

"He wittily riffs on people's vain attempts to pigeonhole him ethnically" Telegraph

EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL - FOSTER'S COMEDY AWARDS - BEST NEWCOMER NOMINEE 2010

Imran Yusuf is renowned for his stinging, lyrical street-slang verbiage and super-high energy performance. Fast and furious yet charmingly endearing, his is a unique voice on the comedy circuit taking the industry by storm with a 42 date UK tour, self titled sketch show The Imran Yusuf Show commissioned with BBC3 and numerous more filming/recording projects taking place through 2011.

Born in Mombasa, Kenya and raised in the UK with a brief stint at school in the USA, Imran has travelled much of the world including Israel/Palestine, Jordan and Saudi Arabia during the Lebanon Crisis in 2006. His work has been inspired by this rich multicultural background, giving him a youthful, energetic and highly original voice that embodies the multi-cultural wealth that exists in modern Britain.

He seamlessly switches between styles with graceful fluidity, repeatedly delivering heavy-weight punch lines with enormous panache. His seemingly light-hearted satire is mixed with hard-hitting topical commentary on contemporary issues that culminate into a tour de force of comedy offering an all-embracing sentiment in his trademark styling.

Imran’s original ambition was to become a video games designer and after working for some of the UK’s top companies, his creative aspirations finally gravitated towards the world of stand-up comedy. Following a period of clinical depression when he was 25 he set out to reclaim his life and career through unwavering self-belief, outrageous ambition and incredible hard work. Over the last few years he has won over the hearts and minds of a very broad audience, illustrating that absolutely anything is possible.

In 2010, Imran presented his debut solo show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The show, An Audience with Imran Yusuf, was part of the Laughing Horse Free Festival and it was Imran’s intention to develop his craft and material at the Fringe whilst at the same time keeping under the radar of the UK Comedy Industry and Press. However, word about the show got out and within a week Imran had gained the first of a collection of 5 star reviews, which led to him being nominated for Best Newcomer in the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award 2010 (He was the first performer from The Free Festival to be nominated in the history of the Awards). All of this whilst fasting between sunrise and sunset in observation of Ramadan.

Imran’s TV debut was also made shortly after the festival appearing on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Road Show (BBC1) and the Edinburgh Comedy Gala (BBC3) broadcast in September 2010. Building on this success, Imran has made a series of radio appearances in 2011 including The News Quiz (BBC R4), The Now Show (BBC R4) twice, and Arthur Smith’s Balham Bash (BBC R4 Extra), all prestigious and high profile radio productions focusing on current affairs and satire.

Following quickly on Imran appeared on How TV Ruined Your Life (BBC2) and such is his worldwide appeal, was flown to Canada to record Funny As Hell for BBC America. August 2011 saw Imran return to Edinburgh Festival performing his new show Bring The Thunder to a raft of top reviews plus performances at the 2011 Edinburgh Comedy Gala (BBC3) and BBC Comedy Presents (BBC3), further consolidating Imran’s place at the forefront of the UK comedy industry. Currently working on various TV and radio projects including The Imran Yusuf Show commissioned by BBC3, expect to see and hear a lot more from Imran as he continues to push at the forefront of British comedy.

Currently working on a theatre tour and various TV and radio projects, expect to see and hear a lot more from Imran as he continues to cut at the very edge of British comedy.

QUOTES:

"Imran Yusuf hits the stage with incredible energy and purpose. His riffs are hilarious and his choice of targets is evidence that he’s a comic that has something to say." Mark Breslin, CEO of Yuk Yuk’s International Stand-Up Comedy, Canada

“Imran is something I’ve never ever seen before… he almost rapped his gig… it had the rhythm of a rap. I’ve never ever, ever seen anyone’s delivery like that.” Adam Bloom, BBC Radio 7

“This charismatic Kenyan-born Londoner is so intent on giving audiences a good time, he smuggles through shrewd observations about multiculturalism and modern life without you even noticing.” The Telegraph

"It's like watching Eminem do stand-up" Terry Alderton

“The New KING of Comedy” Eastern Eye

CORPORATE  TESTIMONIALS:

“The Comedy Club was very easy to work with and we are very grateful to them for working with our budget. Please pass this message onto Imran Yusuf: Imran, thank you so much for your performance on Wednesday…our crowd really enjoyed watching you and we would love to have you perform at our event again in the New Year.” Muslim Youth Helpline

“On behalf of BT and ‘Save the Children’ I would like to say a massive thank you to Geoff Norcott and Imran Yusuf…they were both so professional and had the audience captivated from the start.  They even had members of our audience crying with laughter!” Save the Children / BT

"Imran Yusuf’s jokes were pitched at just the right level…he was very funny.” Yusuf Islam Foundation

EDINBURGH SHOW REVIEWS 2010:

"By not focusing on the obvious racial stereotypes, he wins over the entire audience. His happy, positive personality leaves them feeling uplifted, energised and privileged to have had An Audience With Imran Yusuf” ***** Chortle

"Imran Yusuf's show heralds the birth of a new comedy star. Intelligent, thought provoking and laugh out loud funny it's a glorious debut." **** Time Out

"Imran Yusuf has to be one of the most captivating, energetic, and animated stand up comedians I’ve ever seen" ***** The New Current

"He would be broadly described as 'political comedy', but he in fact comes across not as political but as deeply human...add to this a tremendous physicality and a joyful glint in his eye, and it's easy to see why I came out of the show somewhat in love with him." **** The Skinny

"an hour of cheek and charm" **** The Independent