Aalex Mandel-Dallal brings her new musical comedy show, Where Was I? to Edinburgh Fringe this summer.
“Aalex (‘a charming humility that brings the audience together in laughter’ ****, The Student) is overwhelmed and she’s not afraid to show it. In this show, she unpacks the elaborate (and often ridiculous) lengths she’s gone to in pursuit of clarity. Expect an abundance of misunderstandings, a rap about questionable life choices, and a whirlwind of overcomplication that somehow lands right here.”
Where: Nic 8 (Nicolson Square Gardens) at Hoots @ Nicolson Square
When: 7-30 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/aalex-mandel-dallal-where-was-i
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?
I’d say it’s a music-infused deep observational comedy, about one woman’s (me, hi) highly-tangented mind investigation, where she delves deep to work out how to move forward in her life joyfully with some sort of skip in her step. Lightly touching upon her grandmas, her bag of drugs, egg-freezing, and knickers.
It is very much not a guide to fixing your life; instead, a celebration of trying very hard, knowing better, and doing it regardless. The idea came from me consistently analysing and assessing every part of my brain and my therapist telling me that it’s “not common for people to do that to this extent”.
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?
A music-infused deep observational comedy, about one woman’s (me, hi) highly-tangented mind investigation, where she delves deep to work out how to move forward in her life joyfully with some sort of skip in her step. Lightly touching upon her grandmas, her bag of drugs, egg- freezing and knickers!
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
I really do; it makes me feel like a real comedian performing daily in exchange for real money. This will be my first full Fringe, and I’m super hyped but know I have to pace myself. As I sometimes get overstimulated, this is a new thing I’m trying to understand and nurture.
I recently re-watched Moulin Rouge, and although I remember loving it then, this time I found it hard to watch as there was so much going on, which made me realise it’s me that’s changed, not the film.
I’ll always remember the first fringe – I did a 2-week WIP doing comedy for just over a year. I was in a cab on the way to my venue with my abnormally large Pop Idol Karaoke machine in hand, thinking, oh shit Aalex, you’re actually doing something, not just saying you’re going to do something.
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
At that time of the month, I am always delighted by the free tampons Scotland has to offer, the tap water, having Arthur’s Seat right there to step away from it all – and last year, discovering Pepe’s chicken shop.
What’s next for the show?
Ahhh yes, life beyond the Fringe… So far I have some festivals booked in around the UK, and the hope is to take it to other cities in Europe and/or the rest of the world, if you’re reading this with a hookup …call me?