This week we are heading up to the North of England to talk to a stand up comedian who is currently on tour. If you are in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Newcastle then you are in luck as Sadia Azmat, the host of BBC Sounds podcast No Country For Young Women will be doing her show. I caught up with her to find out all about it.

Sadia Azmat

Date: 20th, 21st. 22nd January

Location: Mon 20th,The Stand Edinburgh, Tues 21st The Stand Glasgow and 22nd The Stand Newcastle.

Price:  Prices may vary depending on venue

Time:  Times Vary at venues

Ticket Link: click here for tickets

Hello Sadia, How did you get into stand up?

Writing and meeting a comedian who booked my first gig within 2 weeks.

How do you come up with your jokes? what inspires you?

Life. Things that are affecting me, a whole bunch of things. News, experience and people.

Tell us a little bit about the show that is happening this week?

My show is about my life and experiences as a British Asian and growing up in East London. I explore things I’ve come across such as personal experiences seeing polygamy first hand, and also my own relationships – with jokes.

It is the month of january! What are your new year comedy resolutions for this year?

 Hustle, work hard and write as much as possible.

It is a new decade – what would you like to see happen to comedy in the next 10 years?

Push boundaries and take risks, be a space for free thinking/speech. People to accept comedy is an art and not to pander to the status quo.

How do you warm up before a show?

Set list and water.

What have been some of your favourite shows to play so far this year and why?

Jamali Maddix Strip Club Einstein

John Hastings 10 Things I hate about me

Sam Jay

All of the shows are amazingly written and performed, authentic and funny as fuck.

You are the writer and  host of BBC Sounds podcast No Country For Young Women – tell us all about the show!

It’s been a lot of fun doing the podcast we just wrapped series 3. The podcast explores life and love in a world where you’re the minority or not in your place of origin. In series 3 we explored what home was with our celebrity guests.

You also have guests on the show – who do you have lined up for this year?

We have had amazing guests Rose McGowan, Phil Wang, Ainsley Harriott, Ashley Madekwe. Stay tuned and subscribe on BBC Sounds to find out who is coming up.

What have been some of your favourite episodes you have done of the podcast so far?

My solo episode was great fun exploring polygamy and love. I also really loved our chat with Ashley Madekwe – we explored her move to LA and latest movie County Lines, she’s super talented and great fun. We also did a live two part show from Edinburgh Fringe 2019 where we had a showcase of comedians including Aditti Mittal which was amazing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p078873r

You are also one of the writers on Turtle Canyon Comedy series Content as well as appearing in the show – tell us how did you get involved with it and what was the best bit about being part of that project?

It was through a competition on British Comedy Guide. I was one of the lucky winners which meant I got to be in the writers room for 2 days. It was such a great experience writing on a show and seeing the characters come to life. The best bit was working with the director Stuart Laws and creator/writer Yiannis Vassilakis and the other team of writers.

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

Instagram sadia_azmats

Twitter @sadia_azmats_

Facebook Sadia_Azmats

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?

Escapism, fun, foreplay

QUICK FIRE ROUND

 If you could have any three people (dead or alive) over for dinner – who would they be?

Amy Winehouse, Bill Hicks and Sam Kinison.

 If you could be from any other decade (or era), which would it be??

40’s

If you had to have a tattoo to represent comedy what would you have and why?

Microphone – phallic

What’s on your music playlists right now?

Kanye

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Gal Gadot

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Take out the bad guys.