“witty and absorbing and slightly appalling and highly entertaining. I look forward to whatever Zafar cooks up next”
Dominic Maxwell, The Times
“delivers some big laughs”
Brian Logan, The Guardian
“fascinating and hilarious in equal measure”
Ian Jones, i-D
Following a nationwide tour including a sold out Soho Theatre run with his critically acclaimed debut show Cakes, Edinburgh Comedy Awards and Chortle Awards Best Newcomer nominee BILAL ZAFAR will return to the venue for a second run from 25th – 27th May at 7:30pm. He will then head to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August with his brand new show Biscuit, performing at Just the Tonic at the Mash House from 3rd – 27th August (excluding 14th) at 3:40pm.
Having made an impression on the world of comedy and secured a solid degree in media studies (not necessarily in that order), Biscuit sees BILAL taking the natural next step for a young, up and coming comedian, as he embarks on the quest to find a wife. Diving into the world of Muslim romance in 21st century Britain, BILAL tries the various forms of dating – online, casual, speed, and many more – as he attempts to find love and keep his mum happy in spite of his precarious career choices.
BILAL originally performed Cakes to sold-out audiences throughout his run at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. The show told the story of how BILAL’s Twitter handle, @zafarcakes, became a focal point for the misguided rage of the global far right when it was mistaken for the account of a ‘Muslim-only bakery’. Cakes also gained BILAL a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2017 Chortle Awards, while earlier in 2016 he had placed top of the bill at the New Act of the Year Awards (formerly the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year Awards), and in 2015 was also the runner up at the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year competition. Quickly making a name for himself in TV and radio, BILAL recently appeared in an episode of Channel 4’s critically acclaimed Catastrophe, and has also featured on BBC Three, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Asian Network, and Sky News.
What the Press Has Said
“Exceedingly good”
Alice Jones, The i
“endearing, relaxed, and naturally funny…hilarious”
★★★★
Emily Phillips, Edinburgh Festivals
“a startlingly strong first show: funny, original, and just bizarre enough for the Fringe”
★★★★
Emma Lawson, TV Bomb
★★★★
Ben Venables, The Skinny
For more information please contact: Nathan Dean, Florrie Sheehan or Victoria Wedderburn at Avalon on 0207 598 7222 or nathand@avalonuk.com / florries@avalonuk.com / victoriaw@avalonuk.com
