Ola Labib

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Friday 27th September 2024

It was the first of times, it was the worst of times. And it's almost time for the Women in Comedy Festival, which kicks off next Thursday in Manchester and features almost 80 shows over 10 days.

This year, the festival's 13th, they've also introduced Best Show and Best New Act awards, sponsored by Manford's Comedy Clubs. And one in the running is the debut by Ola Labib: pOLArising. So, is it, or just a good pun?

"I called my show pOLArising because I found that navigating life being both British and Muslim can be polarising, in that, whatever decision I make, it will end up pissing one of the communities off," she explains. "And it has OLA in it!"

And 'rising' seems relevant too: Ola has already appeared on everything from House Of Games to Dangerous Roads. Now her long-form live debut navigates the comic's Sudanese upbringing in Portsmouth, some far-out experiences as an NHS pharmacist "and how a near-death experience landed me into a comedy career. So winning an award for this show would be dreamy."

Watch this space. But now, another Mancunian debut.

First gig?

My first gig was for Jason Cook for the Comedy Balloon at the Apple and Ape. I remember two guys sitting in the front that were so drunk, they couldn't tell me apart from the mic stand. It was obvious they had NO idea what to expect from me and they definitely didn't expect five minutes of The Lord Of The Rings jokes.

Favourite show, ever?

It would have to be between my solo show at Soho Theatre for pOLArising, or when I did the O2 supporting Mo Gilligan.

Worst gig?

This is an easy one. When I did a gig (for what I thought) was a university show - turns out it was for their Islamic society and I was not prepared... for a segregated room. As soon as I walked in, I mentally deleted any jokes that could be deemed inappropriate leaving me with only one joke left (at the time) - my Game Of Thrones joke.

That bomb was more painful than the time I had a rectal abscess the size of a lemon.

Which one person influenced your comedy life most significantly?

Definitely my father. He's, subjectively, the funniest man alive.

And who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?

The people that want you to fit their stereotypical narratives based on your gender, race or religion.

People that expect me to fit their narrative of what a Muslim woman should be like, bearing in my mind they are not from my community at ALL (ahem ahem).

I don't comply with their stereotypical expectations of how they want Muslims to be reflected to audiences, and I end up losing out on opportunities.

It used to upset me, but I realised I want to help change the way people view Muslims for the better and I want to represent my community in the best and most accurate way I can - but some people aren't interested in seeing positive representation - these are the most disagreeable people I've come across.

Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

I make fun of Wigan sometimes because I used to live and work there and it was one of the worst experiences. I've talked about it on stage. Wigan audience members aren't impressed... oops.

Any reviews, heckles or post-gig reactions stick in the mind?

When I was an open mic, I did a gig in Liverpool and a man kept heckling me to take off my hijab and said 'what have you got hidden underneath there?' I reached under my hijab and pulled out...my hand - flipping him the bird. What a massive helmet.

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

I say Alhamdulillah every day. I'm on a journey to one day live my dream. I always want to do better, and there's a LONG way to go, but I really thank God that I've gotten this far. I know I am where I am right now for a reason... I don't know what that reason is but - God is the best of planners.

Ola Labib: pOLArising is at Lost Cat in Manchester on 13 October, part of the Women in Comedy festival. Tickets