There are always comedy shows at edfringe that explore some very interesting topics and ideas, and from the first moment I heard about Hasan Al-Habib’s 2025 offering, I knew this was going to be one of those.

And I suppose, with a title like ‘Death To The West (Midlands)’, I was always going to be drawn in. Plus, his past win and nomination for awards at the Birmingham and Leicester Comedy Festivals respectively indicate that we are in very safe hands.

I spoke to Hasan to find out more about both him and the show.

CM: Can you begin by giving readers an idea of what topics and themes they can expect to be covered in the show?
HA: It’s about an Iraqi child growing up in the UK during the Gulf War that is ashamed of where he comes from, who has to learn self-acceptance. It’s also about why Saddam Hussein would have loved Drayton Manor theme park.

CM: What made you want to address these ideas in a comedy show?
HA: Honestly I think my life has been pretty boring. Luckily, I’ve the best director around in Jet Vevers, who’s exceptionally good at identifying what it is about the stories I had in mind that would capture an audience’s attention.

CM: Is everything you talk about based on factual stuff?
HA: I get asked this a lot and the answer is: unfortunately, yes. Spoiler alert: America invaded Iraq based on lies.

CM: What’s it like, sharing your experiences with rooms full of strangers?
HA: It’s not biologically personal, if you get what I’m saying, so I don’t feel awkward about it.

CM: Would you regard your show as political?
HA: Honestly, no. It’s more the ramifications of the politics on the personal, how everything associated with the Gulf Wars, 9/11 etc affected my family – sometimes lethally.

CM: You did a PHD at Cambridge University, in no small part with the plan of becoming part of comedy group Footlights. But that didn’t work out, sparking something of a controversy. What happened?
HA: So many comics I looked up to growing up went there and I come from a family with zero background in the arts; growing up, it seemed the only route into comedy.

When I arrived, it was extremely nepotistic, with the committee of ten students the only ones allowed to call themselves “footlights”.

They cast themselves in their shows without having to audition, with next year’s committee being chosen – not democratically elected – by the previous committee. Thankfully, that’s all changed now.

CM: What did you study during your time at university?
HA: At Cambridge I did a PhD in oncology. Before that I studied Biochemistry and then a masters in Radiation Biology.

CM: Does it inform your comedy at all?
HA: It taught me that you need to fail a lot before you can start thinking about the faintest sliver of success.

CM: It’s your debut solo hour, but have you performed in Edinburgh before? What are your hopes and expectations for this year?
HA: My first time at the Fringe was a play called ‘5 Women Wearing The Same Dress’. I loved it immediately. Won’t ever forget flyering a local who said: “‘5 Women Wearing The Same Dress’? How big’s this dress?”

I’d love to sell out my run and tour the show in places where they’ve never seen an Arab before.

CM: What will you do when not performing? Do you plan to see other shows?
HA: Of course. Lance Mao and Roger O’Sullivan are two gems more people should be talking about. I’ve seen their shows already and will be going again.

CM: Going back a bit now: what made you want to pursue comedy? Was it something you aspired to growing up?
HA: I remember watching ‘Live At The Apollo’ back in the day and thinking, I’m not laughing that much at some of these acts, so why can’t I do this as well? I loved making people laugh at school. Powerpoint presentations were my road into stand-up.

CM: Who would you say are the biggest influences on you?
HA: Frankie Boyle, Dave Chappelle, Janine Harouni, Jon Stewart and John Oliver. Too many Americans for an Iraqi comedian, really.

CM: What have been the highlights of your time in comedy?
HA: Performing to 1000 people at Soho Theatre Walthamstow and Limmy giving me a quote to use on my Fringe show poster.

CM: What aims and ambitions do you have for the future?
HA: I’d like to act more. I love watching the sitcom ‘Frasier’ and dream of doing some comic acting even half as good as David Hyde-Pierce and Kelsey Grammer.

CM: What’s coming up next for you after this?
HA: Paris on holiday. I plan to follow up a month with the Scottish, the friendliest people on earth, by spending five days with the Parisians, who are the rudest.

Hasan Al Habib performed ‘Death To The West (Midlands)’ at Pleasance Courtyard at Edinburgh Festival 2025.