Ifrah Qureshi @ The Stand

One of The Stand’s funded debuts this year, Ifrah Qureshi has long been hot on the tongues of the Scottish circuit if you asked them ‘who’s your favourite new act?’ In 48 Flaws of Power, she sets out to use the manosphere’s holy text to win an argument with her new house mate, her mother.

There’s lots to enjoy here. Qureshi’s a genial presence and her writing chops are starting to blossom. Some fun observations about South Asian mums and boys from Yorkshire get chuckles of recognition, whilst a section about being ‘the man of the house’ as her family’s middle child sees the comic hit her stride. Her poking fun at white guilt when asking someone to choose which’s more racist from two impossible scenarios is delicious and Qureshi revels in watching folk writhe in their seats.

However, the whole show is weighed down with that structural choice. At times, the pace slows to a crawl and Qureshi’s narrative leans too heavily on exposition over jokes, with a voiceover halting momentum further. Instead of highlighting her skills, it serves to hinder them and means she never quite gets the flow of laughs she and her material deserves.

Overall, it’s a good first hour from the Scottish comic but tries to do a little too much too soon, with more tried and tested material put in pride of place. It’s in need of being stripped back, tightening up and letting Qureshi’s talent shine through.

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Ifrah Qureshi: 48 Flaws of Power, The Stand Comedy Club (Stand 4), until 30 Aug, 8.15pm, £13.50/£11.50