Actresses Rakhee Morzaria and Hannan Younis, with a combined career spanning over 15 years, are not just performers, but inspirations. Their journey in the Canadian comedic scene is a testament to their commitment to their craft and passion.

Hannan Younis has starred in the award-winning comedy Bria Mack Gets a Life (Crave), Roast Battles Canada (Comedy Central), and her sketch duo Definition of Knowledge (NXNW, JFL, Austin Sketchfest) and Rakhee Morzaria, multi-award-nominated comedic actor, lead on hit Hulu comedy, Run the Burbs, with filmmaking showcased in Kevin Hart’s Just for Laughs short film competition, and digital series, Note to Self, nominated for a Canadian Screen Award as seen on What We Do in the Shadows (FX), and My Spy (Netflix), and voice on animated series Summer Memories (Roku).

This week, Rakhee Morzaria and Hannan Younis will perform a full-length sketch revue- My Best Friend’s Friend, at The Theatre Centre on March 12th. My Best Friend’s Friend is a hilarious and heartwarming performance that centres around two comedians trying to forge a friendship by creating their new and never-before-seen experimental comedy show.

In this interview, we had the chance to sit down with Rakhee Morzaria and Hannan Younis to discuss upcoming sketch, their journey, and what’s next for them.

• What’s your inspiration for going into comedy?
  • Hannan Younis – I always knew I wanted to perform; I applied for a comedy program at Humber and it just happened. I secretly applied for the program because I was embarrassed and did not tell my dad then (Laughs). I figured that this was what I loved. I am going to do it and make it work for me.
  • Rakhee Morzaria –   I am a middle child, growing up, I watched a lot of Bollywood with my family, you know, over-the-top ones. I went to school for environmental science. I kept trying to change it but did not want to lose my credit. After some time, I discovered that I wanted to do acting, theatre, and writing and did not know how to tell my parents (Laughs)

• It is clear that you have amazing chemistry. How did you both meet?
  • Rakhee Morzaria — We both got into this fellowship program at Second City and did a sketch today. I remember seeing Hannan doing the most nuts thing in an improv, and I was like, “What?!” We have so many mutual friends, but we connected due to our similar vibes for comedies and personalities

• How long did the preparation for the sketch take?
  • Rakhee Morzaria — It came about last summer. I was craving to do something really silly and different. TV can be very straight and tight. So I pitched it to my friend group, and they were like, “That sounds dumb,” and they made fun of me (Laughs). When I spoke to Han, she understood the concept.
  • Hannan Younis—I just spoke to Liza, the associate director at the Theatre Centre, about the concept. Then, Rakhee and I created the show with Liza and Natalie, the comedy arts festival’s director. This is the second iteration; we reworked it to make it tighter and better.

• How long did it take for the show to be conceived?
  • Rakhee Morzaria: We knew we wanted to do the show, so we brought in some working pieces from other places that fit.

• What should the audience expect from My Best Friend’s Friend?
  • Hannan Younis: Audiences should expect something different and unique and come ready to let go. It is a two voices like Bria Mack Gets a Life. No spoilers!
  • Rakhee Morzaria:Audiences can expect a truly unique experience. We’ve blended theatre with sketch, standup, and mischief, creating a show that’s unlike anything else. It’s like seeing with two jesters figuring each other live!

• What projects should be expected from you in 2025?
  • Hannan Younis: In 2025, I want to build a foundation by writing and creating my work. We also want to build on our ideas and reach a wider audience
  • Rakhee Morzaria:  We want to bring new audiences from varying backgrounds to see the show

• Do you see you see yourself branching into other genres?
  • Hannan Younis: I am open to different genres. There is comedy in all kinds of roles.
  • Rakhee Morzaria:  I have been craving to play a villain. Bringing comedy into new roles and exploring those nuances is really fun.

Don’t miss their full-length sketch revue- My Best Friend’s Friend, at The Theatre Centre on March 12th, 2025 (8:00 pm). Get your tickets now and be part of this unforgettable experience.

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