Comedy

Gags: good. Heckle-handling: could do better

Ayesha Hazarika
Sell your act in a line... 'Britain's only lapsed Muslim comedienne'

Age 30.

Manor Camden Town.

Who is she? Born and raised on the outskirts of Glasgow, Hazarika did a degree in law and a postgraduate diploma in journalism before taking up jobs as a government spin doctor and now media and public affairs minder for the chairman of the EMI group. Working in Westminster was useful training for stand-up: ‘You get used to people reacting with scorn. You develop a thick skin.’

Her first gig was in 2001. Signing up for an Amused Moose stand-up course and then moonlighting as a comedian seemed preferable to long working days followed by drinking every night. ‘But it’s hard combining both jobs. It’s hard for my partner and family and friends. My friends have to come to a show if they want to see me.’ Feature continues

Being Asian and a woman can provide an extra hurdle. ‘Sometimes, at out-of-London dates, I look at the audience and they look at me and we wonder whether we’ll connect.’ Generally it works out. ‘I’m not a shouty or ranty comedian. I think it’s more like hearing stories from a friend over a pint.’ Her background as a Scottish Asian and lapsed Muslim features largely: ‘There’s a lot of confessional stuff.’ How long she’s able to maintain a double life depends on how in demand she becomes as a performer. But that’s not all. ‘I care about politics. I wouldn’t rule out going into it myself some day.’

Worst gig At the launch of an Asian radio station near Glasgow when she followed a full-on bhangra band and got told afterwards that the muted reception could have been because the majority of the audience only spoke Punjabi.

Favourite comedians Daniel Kitson (‘I’m in awe of him’), the ‘laugh-out-loud funny’ Frankie Boyle, Jo Caulfield ‘for the way she commands an audience and the barbed one-liners’, Josie Long (‘charming, childlike and so original’).

Favourite London clubs The Comedy Store (‘It’s a privilege to play there’), Banana Cabaret (‘The circular room’s a great space’) and the Bearcat Club (‘It’s a proper comedy club’).

Listen out for Her appearance on ‘The Jenny Eclair Show’ on LBC, September 23.