Here at The Phoenix Remix, we have been sent some previews of shows heading to the Edinburgh Fringe. So over the next few weeks, we will be reviewing these so that you can keep an eye on them or potentially go and see them at the festival. The Phoenix remix will also be at the festival this year so we will be posting more reviews throughout August.

The one thing that is noticeable about Mustafa Algiyadi is that he has a huge presence on stage. Opening the show with a magic trick is a fun little twist and creates a fun warm automatic engagement with the audience and reels them right in.

If there is one thing that is obvious about Mustafa is that he enjoys interacting with the audience. Anyone he talks to he wants to know about them and where they are from and has a mini conversation with them. The energy of his presence is reflected in the way that the audience interact with him and want to engage with him which is not always the case with comedians.

The show Almost Legal Aliens takes you on a journey where Mustafa explores a lot of different topics – delving into the differences he has noticed with cultures, what he has experienced in his childhood in Libya and the unusual things that he has realised about European life. There are some fun jokes related to vegans, organic supermarkets, American television and life in Germany.

As the show develops the jokes become more personal and delve into his world and things such as relationships, life in Germany and meditation.

It is a show that has a lot of energy and covers a lot of topics. Throughout the show there are a couple of jokes that split the audience but that should not put you off seeing the show. It has elements where some of the jokes are rude and sexual as well which I wanted to note as they may not appeal to all.

Overall, it is a show that you may want to see, it is really interesting to listen about the difference in cultures and the observations about European life. Whilst not all the jokes may be for everyone, the energy of Mustafa onstage is fun and a reason to see this show.

RATING ***’ 3.5