“My style has been described as silly, smart and subversive,” Tez announced, as he prepared to open for his ebullient, new Edinburgh Fringe show, Teztify. Talking about everything from Trump and elusive chickens to being a Northern British-Muslim and what he has observed to be the left-wing’s political plight, this summary lands exactly right. Delving into various, nuanced social commentaries at the same time as maintaining a certain degree of nonchalance, this really is a guy with whom you want to catch up with over several beers – or straight vodka shots. It really doesn’t matter; it’s all fair game for Tez. “Conformity and discussing subjects where everyone is in agreement is so incredibly easy and ultimately isn’t funny”, he commented, referring to the Alt-Right: a neo-fascist movement which exploded online during the run-up to the US elections. “I think stand-up is a great opportunity to enlighten people and hold a mirror back up to the audience. If I’m talking about the left-wing, I want to challenge their perception of themselves. What can they do to address the rise of certain worrying attitudes; what was the sociological vacuum that allowed those extremist viewpoints to thrive?”
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The young comedian knows well what he is arguing - or let’s just say it Teztifying - about. This namesake is his third show, following the first more culturally-orientated material, Tez Talks, discussing modern racial dynamics and religion. This recently received a second series from BBC Radio 4. As if that wasn’t enough, Tez also recently appeared on the widely watched, comedy television show Mock the Week, known for featuring the best and brightest new talent. He also managed to burst open the ideological doors with his second stand-up gig - Made in Britain – which continued to ask the question of what it means to be British today and how we should all work together to protect against the idea of ‘the other.’ Ultimately, it seems that Tez’ unpredictable personality has been the element to launch him in his entertainment career: “bar being male, I think I stand for every other underrepresented perspective,” the self-aware comedian stated. “I’m a young ethnic minority from a working class background and that distinguishes me in what is a predominantly privileged middle-class comedy circuit.” Add this to the fact that Tez cites a diverse range of influences on his comedy – everyone from the sharp and alternative Armando Iannucci to more mainstream comics such as Peter Kay and Sarah Silverman – and we see how consolidating challenging experiences can sometimes be a strong channel for representation and recognition. “I will always continue to study various writing and styles and stand for what's fresh” Tez made sure to add: “it’s key to who I am.” Embracing varying viewpoints as well as the many unique facets of his identity, the comedian successfully actualises what every performer craves: originality.
Tell us how Teztify conceptually, creatively and personally builds on your first big show Tez Talks?
Teztify is about challenging the assumption that people have about me; that I’m a religious person in an increasingly secular world; that the colour of my skin is enough to sum me up; that my social background defines me, and fourthly what you might think of an individual who’s a self-indentifying liberal.
In addition to that, I also talk about how those themes as affecting the younger generation. With the rise of the internet and information being so easily accessible, people are a lot more influenced by those who don’t necessarily have the wisdom. It’s frightening for younger people, I think, to see these right-wing attitudes have such prominence. There’s a more visible sort of tribalism and that can be scary. I see its impact on my nieces and nephews.
Are there any particularly special moments we can look forward to in your Edinburgh show?
The 5-munite bit about chickens. I enjoy performing it while people wonder what is going on, until of course, they inevitably embrace it.
You are very prolific. Do you think there’s something particular in your style recurring through the themes in your work?
Mainly that my comedy is quite sharp and on the pulse. I enjoy exploring darker, subversive material too.
How much of good stand up comedy is projecting a persona/character on stage, versus the actual competence of the content?
Both are equally important!
What grabs you most about the art of stand-up and comedy?
The same reason why anyone loves their job - I love doing it. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.
Tell us a bit about your personal journey to the stage?
I actually only started doing comedy at 27. I didn’t have a background in the arts, comedy or theatre. In fact I graduated with a BA in chemistry and MA in management. The comedy began recreationally, as an activity to fill the evenings. At the end of one of these workshops, there was the opportunity to showcase your work and that went really well. From there, it was straight into the comedy circuit.
Do you have some good tips for stand-up comics starting out?
Give as much as possible – find those open mike circuits in your area. Write a lot; try the material out in those 10-15 min sets and get a feel for it. Make as many contacts along the way.
Do you think performance comedy is a natural skill or can it be taught, learnt and grown?
Performance can be learnt, but not being funny necessarily. You can take the raw talent and finesse the presentation.
Any more comedic inspirations?
Dave Chappelle, Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Also Chris Morris.
Can you give a specific example of these liberal pitfalls you talk of?
The Brexit vote: you had people trying to convince people not to leave Europe in a way that was incredibly condescending. We should try to understand why people are voting the way they do. It’s the same for Donald Trump. You had people branding him racist and criticising the Mexican wall idea, but Trump’s voters don’t care. That’s the whole point. We know he’s bad – parroting that isn’t going to help. What’s at the root of these right wing voters’ concerns?
Finally, what’s one misconception about stand up comedy that simply isn’t true?
That it’s an overnight success – most people have been in the game for many years before ‘making it’.
