‘I’m constantly on my toes, eager to see what the experience will bring’: Edinburgh Fringe Q&A – Mustafa Algiyadi

For his debut Edinburgh Fringe solo hour, Mustafa Algiyadi explores how moving to Europe messed with his concept of belonging and identity.

The Libyan Arab stand-up takes the audience on a tour of his mind maze in his show Almost Legal Alien.

Here, he answers our festival Q&A.

How are you feeling ahead of your Fringe debut hour?

Incredibly excited. It’s a collection of emotions really—fear, anticipation, eagerness—all mixed together. It reminds me of being a child heading off to a family trip, filled with the excitement of a long-awaited adventure. But there’s also a sense of anxiety because the stakes are high; I’ve invested so much time, money, and energy into this. I’m constantly on my toes, eager to see what the experience will bring. It’s all I can talk about when people ask how I’m doing. I’m really looking forward to it!

What’s your show all about?

Almost Legal Alien is the culmination of my stand-up work in the last five years. I speak about how it was for me to grow up in Libya and my motivation to move to Europe, the cultural differences that I observe personally and those which I feel are imposed on me.

Themes of belonging, identity and quest for a better passport. It is jam packed with punchy jokes, storytelling, we will do a group meditation and the audience helping me solve major belonging issues. Basically it is as funny as a Libyan gets. What more can one ask for!

You’ve become a key fixture in Munich – what’s the English-speaking comedy scene like in Germany?

The English-speaking comedy scene in Germany is relatively new but rapidly growing, especially in bigger cities. Berlin is emerging as a major hub for English stand-up comedy in mainland Europe, rivalling even London in terms of the number of events. On certain days, you can find up to nine English stand-up shows happening, allowing comedians to perform multiple sets in a single night. This abundance of stage time attracts comedians from other cities who visit Berlin to test out their material. While there is competition, it is not as intense as in London, making it an ideal place for comedians to refine their gags. There is an “urban legend” that some comedians based in London travel to Berlin to test out new bits.

Munich’s scene started gaining traction around 2019 with the establishment of its first weekly stand-up comedy show. Initially, the turnout was modest, with audiences of around twenty people who often confused the shows with poetry slams. However, over the past five years, interest has surged, and now you can find multiple English-language comedy shows in different venues on the same night. The growth in popularity is partly due to the exposure provided by platforms like Netflix, TikTok, and Instagram during the Covid-19 pandemic, which have made people more aware of English stand-up comedy in Germany.

In other larger cities, the English comedy scene is also on the rise, with increasing awareness and interest from both locals and expats. Many touring comedians visit these cities-Besides Berlin and Munich, that would be Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Stuttgart, further boosting the scene.

How useful has your time doing improv been for your stand-up?

Improv has been incredibly instrumental for my stand-up. It provided a foundation that made me comfortable with the idea of failing and trying new things on stage without fear. Improv taught me to embrace spontaneity, allowing me to adjust my set based on the audience’s mood and reactions. This benefited my crowd work and being able to incorporate impulses from the audience into my routine, which is a nice touch for the audience, and keeps me on my toes even when I am repeating the same show.

You worked as a journalist after the Arab Spring, what are your memories of that time?

It was an invigorating and emotional experience. There was immense hope for the future of Libya after the Arab spring, with many people believing in the potential for positive change. At that time, the country had very limited freedom of expression, and one of the main demands of the Arab Spring was greater freedom to speak and discuss political topics openly.

This made journalism feel like an act of liberation at the time, placing it within the broader struggle for free expression. However, it wasn’t easy. Reporting on sensitive topics, such as the influence of certain groups in Libya, came with risks. For example, the office of the newspaper was vandalised due to a controversial coverage, and I was even threatened with a lawsuit after critically reporting on another event.

Despite these challenges, there was a profound sense of liberation in the work. Being a journalist also provided access to experiences and places I wouldn’t have otherwise had, such as restricted areas or meeting with politically influential persons.

If you were in charge of the Fringe, what changes would you make?

One significant issue is obviously accommodation, as many would say properly. It’s quite tricky to find comfortable places to stay, and while cost is a factor, the options for subsidised or supported accommodation for participants aren’t very comfortable. Given that performers are there for the entire month and need to perform every night, having a comfortable place to stay is crucial for maintaining energy and performing well. If I had the power (probably a magical power is needed) I would find a way that performers coming for the whole month would get central and comfortable to be able to recharge and rest properly.

How have your previous experiences of the festival been – either as a visitor or performer?

Last year, I visited the Fringe for a short work-in-progress show, staying for about a week towards the end of the festival. It was an incredible experience, though quite challenging as a performer. I realised that besides the creative work, preparing for the Fringe takes several months of planning, including extensive admin work.

Despite these challenges, I learned a lot from the experience and am working to avoid the mistakes I made last year. As a visitor, I managed to see many different shows in a short time, averaging about five shows a day. It was an amazing creative bubble to be immersed in.

What essential item are you packing to survive a month at the Fringe?

A head massage gadget that I have. It might sound a bit unusual, but between staying in a student dorm, commuting to the city centre for shows, and performing different sets, things can get quite overwhelming and stressful. Just a way to take care of myself, a bit of relaxation to feel more at ease with everything going on.

Who’d be your dream:

Podcast guest / co-host

Guest: Stephen Fry

Co-host: RuPaul

Wrestling tag team partner

John Cena at the Oscars.

Comedian to split a bill with

Robin Williams

Who else are you looking forward to seeing at the festival?

Lara Ricote, Mike Rice, Janine Harouni, Chloe Petts, Natalie Palamides, Patti Harrison, to name a few, the list goes on!

What question would you ask other comedians in a Q&A – and why?

How much is coming to the Fringe costing you this year? – just being a bit nosy!

Mustafa Algiyadi: Almost Legal Alien, Just The Tonic Nucleus, Aug 1-11, 13-25, 4.40pm