Mustafa Algiyadi is a comedian whose career spans stand-up comedy, improvisation and, after pursuing a PhD in mathematics, Artificial Intelligence. Alongside English, he also performs in Arabic, Italian and German.
For his debut Edinburgh Fringe solo hour, the Libyan Arab stand-up explores how moving to Europe messed with his concept of belonging and identity.
Discovering that the cultural differences between the two “worlds” are bigger than he thought, Mustafa finds himself dealing with some absurd and uncomfortable situations, involving, among other things, spices, eggs and foie gras.
Among all this confusion, mixed messaging and a surprising amount of food-based gags, Mustafa, a cornerstone of the English-speaking comedy scene in Germany, had a clear goal in mind – to get a passport that doesn’t trigger a special security check. This inevitably proves itself to be more difficult than anticipated.
Almost Legal Alien is a guided tour through Mustafa’s mind maze, which negotiates tales of coming of age, religious verses you’ve never heard of, couples therapy, mortgages and what would happen if certain dishes were Arabic instead of European.
Q&A with Mustafa Algiyadi
How does it feel to be (making your debut at/returning to) Edinburgh Fringe?
Making my debut at the Edinburgh Fringe feels incredibly exciting. It’s a collection of emotions —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 can you tell us about your show and its inspiration?
Almost Legal Alien is the culmination of my standup work in the last 5 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!
How do you think audiences will react to the show?
It’s tough to predict exactly how audiences will react, so I’ll break it down into two parts: how I’d like them to react and how I think they might actually react. I want them to have a good laugh and gain a bit more insight into Libya and my experiences as an Arab living in Europe.
In Europe, one often hears from people with diverse backgrounds who were born here, sharing their cultural heritage through their stories. However, one doesn’t hear as much from those who have recently moved here and grew up elsewhere.
I want to share those unique perspectives and experiences from my relatively recent move from Libya to Europe. Ultimately, even though we might seem miles apart, we’re much closer than we think, and laughter and humor can connect us.
As for how I think the audiences will react, honestly, I have no idea! This uncertainty is part of the anticipation and the anxiety of not knowing what’s going to happen. But they better laugh!
How have you been preparing for the festival?
I’ve been preparing for the festival in various ways. When I decided to do the Edinburgh Fringe, I started focusing on the theme of the show, which required a lot of effort and is still a work in progress. Besides the creative aspects, there are numerous administrative tasks to handle.
This includes PR opportunities from my wonderful PR person, organising and ordering flyers and posters, working on the artwork and design, marketing, arranging accommodation, and trying to secure additional gigs for visibility. These administrative tasks are honestly taking more time than the creative work itself.
I’ve also been doing several preview performances to fine-tune the show. So far, I have done a WIP in Brighton Fringe, I’ve also done previews in Malta and in Munich. I have another two previews coming up in London, aiming to finalise everything and reach a form I’m happy for the Fringe
Will you get a chance to enjoy the rest of the festival?
Absolutely. I plan to watch as many shows as possible. I have a long list of wonderful acts that I can’t wait to see, eager to be immersed in the creativity bubble of the festival. I’m looking forward to absorbing as much as I can, gaining inspiration for new ideas, and possibly tweaking my show during the run. It’s also a great opportunity to form new connections and friendships.
Do you have any Fringe anecdotes you can share with us?
Maybe! Here in mainland Europe, the Edinburgh Fringe isn’t very well known as in the UK. Only a few people in the creative sphere are aware of it, but recently, with the popularity of Baby Reindeer, there’s been a noticeable shift in awareness. When I tell people in Germany that I’m going to the Edinburgh Fringe, I often use Baby Reindeer as a reference. So, the show has been helping increase awareness and appreciation of the Edinburgh Fringe among people who previously didn’t know much about it. Is that an anecdote?
Mustafa Algiyadi: Almost Legal Alien is at Just The Tonic – Nucleus from 1 to 25 August
