Tez Ilyas | Made In Britain Tour 2017 |

“Ilyas has a slickness more reminiscent of US comics, and the gags to back it up, though his most prized asset could yet be his bold, subversive streak” THE GUARDIAN

One of British comedy’s most exciting rising stars, Tez Ilyas is heading out on his debut nationwide tour. Made in Britain is his second stand up show, which sold out every single performance (including extra shows) at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016 and gained spectacular critical acclaim. The 26-date tour kicks off on 21st March with a 5-date run at London’s Soho Theatre and culminates on 25th May in Bordon’s Phoenix Arts Theatre.

‘‘Radiantly entertaining” THE TIMES

Tez reveals that he is openly... Asian. British Asian as well, which means that because he’s Asian he loves a chicken tikka masala, whereas, because he’s British he... well he loves a chicken tikka masala. Tez has started to think on his British-ness, especially because over the last year he’s felt judged as both a Muslim and an Asian. Tez feels stuck between a rock (the traditional cultural values of his family) and a hard place (the liberal champagne socialists he now hangs out with), when truth be told he doesn’t fit in with either. In addition to issues of identity, he’s a cheeky, arrogant narcissist with deep-seated insecurities... yay comedy! He wonders why this is. Particularly as last year Tez experienced something that changed everything for him...

“A vital discussion of some of the most difficult issues facing this country” THE TELEGRAPH

Ilyas has had a phenomenal 18 months. Off the strength of his outstanding debut show, TEZ Talks, he was awarded a place on the BBC's Writers Academy (given to a very small pool of cutting edge comedy writing talent) and a hugely successful BBC Radio 4 series based on the show followed, with a second series already commissioned.

“Tez Ilyas’s show is intelligent and truly hilarious”
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL MAGAZINE

Tez has appeared on Live from the BBC (BBC Two/Three), The Now Show (BBC R4), The Chris Ramsay Show (Comedy Central), The Nightly Show (ITV), Virtually Famous (E4/Channel 4), Man Like Mobeen (BBC Three), Safe Word (ITV2), Children in Need Comedy Gala (BBC R4), The Funny Thing About... (Channel 5) and @elevenish (ITV2). He has also written and starred in his own scripted comedy shorts for both Sky Arts and BBC Three.

“A show that’s pertinent, intelligent and playful” CHORTLE

“...a forward thinking, hard-hitting, novel and altogether universal approach to the need to talk about
identity. Expect and hope to see far more of him. ARTS AWARDS VOICE