Review: Ifrah Qureshi – 48 Flaws of Power, Fringe 2026

Glasgow-based comedian Ifrah Qureshi makes her Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut at Stand 4 this August with 48 Flaws of Power, a sharp and refreshing hour of dark comedy. Taking direct aim at the ruthless self-help ethos of Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power, Qureshi tests these rigid tactics against real life when her formidable Asian mother moves into her flat.

What follows is an engaging struggle for domestic dominance, balancing the expectation to be a dutiful Muslim daughter against the urge to control her own space. Playing to a packed studio room on York Place, Qureshi delivers a punchy debut that tackles faith, family dynamics, and modern Scottish identity with effortless poise.

Power Plays and Domestic Politics

The show builds its comedy around the tension of Qureshi trying to outmanoeuvre her mother. Rather than caving to maternal authority, Qureshi turns to the manosphere and grabs a guide on ruthless social dominance. Her breakdown of these tactics exposes them for what they are: bizarre advice that looks like LinkedIn posts written by attention seekers.

Qureshi uses these corporate rules to dissect her everyday life. She spins brilliant material from her broader family dynamics, including a sister who married a non-Muslim Yorkshireman who later took an interest in the religion. From sharp observations on board games to navigating awkward cultural expectations, her story keeps the audience laughing while making poignant points about modern integration in Scotland.

Confidence, Crowd Work, and Cultural Wit

Qureshi punches up as a general rule, addressing racial stereotypes and religious traditions without malice or cheap outrage. She addresses topics that worry people about racial tensions with an open, grounded perspective that feels genuinely refreshing. Her approach to faith is balanced, making her set accessible to people of all or no faiths.

“Qureshi stands on stage with total confidence and certainty,” proving she has both sharp storytelling skills and clever commercial wit. Despite performing in the tight confines of Stand 4, Qureshi commands the room like a seasoned headliner. She works the crowd with ease, bringing audience members into the set and rewarding them for making ethical choices during interactive dilemmas. She is undeniably the queen of Stand 4 for her Fringe debut.

Overall

48 Flaws of Power is a hilarious, intelligent debut from a comic with a bright future ahead. Qureshi does not need self-help books to hold an audience’s power; her natural charisma and sharp cultural insights do all the heavy lifting. The Fringe talent scouts have found a winner, and she is well worth catching this August.