“Johnson is enlightening and cracking up audiences by riffing on her roots”
Megan Jordan, Rolling Stone
“her special is a laugh-out-loud, thoughtful and honest look at Johnson’s life as one of 13 children, growing up Muslim, and more that tells her story in a much bigger way.”
Marissa Evans, Los Angeles Times
“a patient rhythm that belies the tightness of each segment and adds levity to some dark topics.”
Margaret Lyons, The New York Times
One of Variety’s ‘Top 10 Comics to Watch’, comedian, actor and writer Zainab Johnson (Hijabs Off, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Upload) makes her UK debut at London’s Soho Theatre, Zainab Johnson: Live, performing a week-long run Downstairs from Monday 18th – Saturday 23rd November at 7.15pm.
Soho Theatre tickets are on sale today from 10am on Wednesday 15th May. Full dates and tickets can be found then at sohotheatre.com
Following on from her first hour-long stand-up special, Hijabs Off (Amazon Prime Video), being recorded and released late last year, subsequently named one of the ‘Best Comedy Specials of 2023’ (Vulture) and saw her profiled in Rolling Stone and the LA Times, Zainab will be performing a brand-new hour in London for a strictly-limited run. Quickly propelled as one of the most unique and engaging performers on stage and screen, Zainab’s new show explores her identity as a Black female Muslim and one of 13 siblings, growing up in Harlem, as well as gun ownership, purchasing her first home, being too nice on dates, and revealing her toxic trait: Optimism.
Alongside her debut special, Zainab is currently a series regular on the Amazon Original hit comedy sci-fi series Upload from Greg Daniels, was one of the hosts on Netflix’s documentary series 100 Humans, and starred as Dr. Hanniel in the brilliantly written web series Avant-Guardians. Elsewhere on television and radio, Zainab has appeared on Ramy (Hulu), A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO), American Koko (ABC), Private Practice (ABC) and is a stand-out panellist on NPR comedy quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!. As a stand-up, Zainab made her first late night stand-up appearance on Late Night With Seth Myers (NBC), had a breakout appearance on stand-up series All Def Comedy (HBO) and was a finalist in the Emmy-Award nominated series Last Comic Standing (NBC), the American reality television comedy competition. Zainab also hosts the I’m Reasonable with Zainab Johnson YouTube podcast, examining her own life as well as everything happing in the world through the lens of trying to be reasonable all the time, which alongside her stand-up videos, has gained millions of views on social media.
As a live performer, Zainab has performed at the prestigious Melbourne International Comedy Festival, at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, first in the festival’s annual showcase of emerging stand-up talent, New Face of Comedy, and most recently on the longest running JFL show Just For The Culture. Zainab is a regular at The Comedy Store, The Improv, and Laugh Factory in Los Angeles as well as the Comedy Cellar in New York City.
Further praise for Zainab Johnson
“It’s unusual, though, for that kind of special to have the guts and the careful confidence to also be a “now comes the serious part” comedy hour. Hijabs Off does it … she’s the kind of comedian who can do it with grace.”
Kathryn VanArendonk, New York Magazine Vulture
“so many hilarious moments… Hijabs Off serves up more than enough laughs.”
Clare Martin, Paste
“explores her identity as a Black female Muslim, having 12 siblings, and growing up in Harlem… has gone to great lengths to be the comedian she’s always wanted to become… Of course it paid off. Stream it.”
Sean McCarthy, Decider
“so funny… That mix of silly and serious seems to come naturally for Johnson”
Elizabeth Blair, NPR
For more information, images, press tickets, or if you have interview requests, please contact: Perrine Davari at PDavari@avalonuk.com / 020 7598 8000
