This month I will be talking to different acts that are taking part in the Brighton Fringe Festival. Today I speak to comedian Mustafa Algiyadi about the show Almost Legal Alien.

Shows: Almost Legal Alien
Location: Laughing Horse (Various rooms, check date)
Date: 9th / 10th, 11th / 12th / 16th / 17th / 18th May
Time: 21:30 / 22:45 / 17:30 / 21:25 / 23:15 / 22:45
Ticket Price: £11
Link: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/a-little-loving-hurts-no-one/

Hello! Tell us about your act ? 

I’m bringing to Brighton my solo standup comedy show. It’s an hour of cheeky jokes and storytelling about my experiences as a Libyan Arab in Europe and my observations since I moved here. More importantly, my passport is the 7th weakest passport in the world, and I’m on the lookout for ways to improve that.

How did you come up with the name of your show that you are taking to the Brighton fringe?

Alien is a reference to how third country nationals are referred to formally, the word itself is funny, as it’s usually associated with extra terrestrial aliens, which at times indeed feels the case to me. The “Almost Legal” part is to reflect that even though I’m in Europe legally, it always seems like one step behind from reaching that.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

Mostly observational comedy peppered with dark and political jokes here and there. It’s quite conversational and I like to include the audience in the jokes through crowd work.

What can people expect from your Brighton Fringe performance?

Expect to know a bit more about Libya and how European way of life looks like through the lens of a Libyan Arab. There will be cards tricks, meditation and marriage proposals.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

CAROLINE MABEY

ALI WOODS

ROBIN MORGAN

PHILIPP KOSTELECKY

NATHAN CASSIDY

How are the rehearsals going?

It is going well, I am still in the process of tweaking the show. I have a few previews lined up, but I’m tempted to add more, it never feels enough.

Have you done the fringe before? What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

Yes I have, I was there in 2023. I loved seeing the Caroline Mabey, Nathan Cassidy, Janine Harouni

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Brighton Fringe next year?

Start planning as early as possible. It might seem that 8 months is a long time from the registration opening, but there is a lot to do!

What is the best thing about performing at the Brighton fringe?

The city’s laid back atmosphere and the relaxed audience. One can really feel that the audience are coming to have fun.

What are your three favourite things about Brighton?

Having a walk along the promenade, the second hand shops and the diversity of people living there. I usually do some crowd work during my shows and I have to say that Brighton has the most diverse and interesting interactions I have had with audience members ever.

Leafleting and promotion through the streets of Brighton is a huge part of the festival – what are your tips for flyering?

Try to speak to people you flyer to, just handing a flyer is not enough.

Tell us about your average day on a festival show run?

Head for a coffee at my favourite kiosk by the beach – The Beach Hut Cafe, they have been so nice to me last year and even helped with promoting the show to their customers. I get my notes out and reflect on the last performance and what changes I could do, and then do some admin work. After that I start flyering for an hour or so, and I usually try to flyer once more late in the afternoon. I try to watch at least one show a day as well. And try not to miss the sunset by the beach!

Performing by the sea as well, that surely makes the fringe all that much more fun?

100%! There is nothing better than witnessing the beautiful Brightonian sunset on the backdrop of the old pier. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Ever changing and as diverse as the spectrum allows! I love not having homogenous audience members. 

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

IG: @mustafa_algiyadi https://www.instagram.com/mustafa_algiyadi/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084349532343

TikTok: @mustafa_algiyadi_comedyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@mustafa_algiyadi_comedy

Twitter: @mustafacomedy

And Finally finish this sentence – ‘you should see our show at Brighton Fringe because…. 

You have never seen a show by a Libyan comedian before