Trained at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in London, Shazia works full time as a writer, actor and stand up comedian.
Shazia began stand up comedy in September 2000 and has in a very short space of time worked her way up the ladder picking up along the 2001 Hackney Empire Best New Act competition at the London Comedy Festival part of the prize was to appear at The Palladium. This year Shazia followed this up by winning Metro Magazine’s People’s Choice Best Comic Award at the London Comedy Festival 2002.
Shazia’s distinctive act combines a deadpan delivery with observation on her world. Shazia is in certain respects a revolutionary figure being the UK’s only female Muslim stand up, a job which many in her culture would frown upon. This enables her to have a unique perspective as a British Muslim with her material crossing both cultures. Supported by many in her culture Shazia has recently won the award of Young Achiever Of The Year at the Government’s initiative for the Asian community, The Leadership & Diversity Awards.
Shazia is in huge international demand with coverage from press, TV and radio in Germany, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, USA, Canada, France, UK and Ireland. To date, Shazia has performed stand up in Belgium, Holland and Denmark.
Shazia has recently appeared on Have I got News For You, Joan Bakewell’s Taboo, Richard & Judy whilst BBC 2’s First Sight made a half hour documentary. Internationally Oprah’s Oxygen Media have filmed a profile on her. Earlier in the year Shazia was invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall V Day event. Eve Ensler asked her to write her own monologue which she duly did receiving a standing ovation from the cast which included Isabella Rossellini, Maureen Lipman, Rita Tushingham, Meera Syal, Dannii Minogue and Anita Dobson.
About Top Secret Comedy Club:
Top Secret Comedy Club New York is a premier destination for live stand-up comedy in the heart of Manhattan, bringing the raw energy and underground spirit of New York City’s comedy scene to the East Village. Known as a true comedy cellar for discovering both rising talent and world famous acts, Top Secret Comedy Club NYC delivers world-class live stand-up comedy every night of the week.
With an intimate room, electric crowds, and a reputation for surprise celebrity drop-ins, the club has quickly become one of the top-rated comedy clubs in New York City. Audiences can expect sharp, unfiltered stand-up from comedians who perform on the biggest stages in NYC and beyond.
Whether you’re an East Village local or visiting Manhattan, Top Secret Comedy Club is the go-to spot for the best stand-up comedy in NYC, where tomorrow’s stars and today’s legends share the same stage.
