Tez Ilyas: Tez Talks

In an amusing 60-second introductory video, Tez Ilyas expresses his desire to present us with a show about life as a Muslim in Britain. He aims to do this, he says, in a unique and silly way. What follows is neither unique nor particularly silly, but deeply moving as the comic explains his frustration at being made to feel like an outsider in his place of birth. Several nights into the Fringe and working off a script, he nonetheless chokes up with emotion as the hour ends with a plea for understanding.

Tez Talks is staged as an introductory seminar in becoming a convert to Islam, the audience playing the part of potential new recruits. This enables the host to explain the intricacies of his belief system, while putting bigoted misconceptions to bed. Among his 'Tez Commandments' is "Don't Be a Terrorist".

Sincere and persuasive, Ilyas is a fine ambassador for cultural relations. He's preaching to the converted here, but it's hard to imagine ignorance withstanding his humanity. This said, the hour itself occupies a flaccid middle ground between stirring polemic and solid standup routine. His point-making glosses over the basics, while his gags are a shade too gentle and obvious. As this evening's audience whoop their approval, one suspects them of applauding the show's intentions as much as its content.