Aalex Mandel-Dallal: Where Was I? - Edinburgh Fringe Interview

In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.

In this interview, we speak with Aalex Mandel-Dallal about his show Where Was I?

What can you tell me about your show?
I’d call it a music-infused deep observational comedy, about one woman’s (me, hi) highly-tangented mind investigation, where I delve deep to work out how to move forward in my life joyfully with some sort of skip in my step. Lightly touching upon my grandmas, my bag of drugs, egg-freezing and knickers.

To be clear, it’s very much not a guide to fixing your life, it’s a celebration of trying very hard, knowing better, and doing it regardless.

How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Distract-core. This isn’t a thing yet, but I’m trying to make it happen.

My style cascades across stand-up, storytelling, clown and musical comedy. I try to lead with honest truths and go from there. Often, things go off on unexpected tangents but I leave room for that because that is what makes the world human.

Proving to be a nightmare to market but a “delight to watch”.

What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
The moment I received an email from my fertility doctor saying I need to go in for a Baseline scan but hearing those words in the voice of a UK Garage MC, then not being able to unhear it, so writing a song based on this.

Then beyond that, realising how liberating and surprisingly light it felt to talk about things I find to be heavy in reality, like ageing, anxiety and my grandmas.

What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
It's a year when it feels like everything is on fire and the man is winning. It feels like there's never been a better time to make light of the darker, more challenging things I find myself facing like anxiety, diminishing fertility and an uncertain future.

How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I’ve got a checklist of Happiness Habbits that I take VERY seriously. It includes things like doing a headstand, so I can see the world from another perspective. Acknowledging a moment of nature, to remember that it’s always there when I’m not hypnotised by.

Instagram. Journaling, to get my million thoughts out of my head and onto a page as well as the basics like exercise, 8 hours sleeps, drinking 2 liters of water a day and I will undoubtedly not do any of them.

Also…
I’ll be reading my favourite book: Miss Piggy’s Guide to Life. It is perfect; she delves into hard stuff like depression, dieting and science in her Miss Piggy way and I always use it when I need a pick me up.

There is also a message in the front that reads(in American accent):
To Denise,
Mazel Tov on your Batmitzvah.
“Be a real mensch” - Yiddish proverb.
All our love,
Stella & Ralph
New York, NY, 1981.

I got it in lockdown and it reminds me how incredible it is be alive, and to remind me that comedy can be everything.

If you couldn’t use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
OMG great question, I PROPS.

My dehumidifier, she’s helped me through a lot and is heavily featured in the show. She will definitely help me sell tickets because she’s perfect and has a very dry sense of humour.

What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
My bag of drugs, not the fun kind :( I’m a sensitive bean, I regularly get migraines and travel sickness and I have a sensitive stomach, it’s just really sexy all round. The bag has got bigger over the years and has become a bit of a security blanket for the just-in-case moments; knowing that it’s there soothes me. It also means that I’m a walking first-aid kit for when other Fringe soldiers fall around me, I like having the supplies and thinking I’ve helped in some way.

Also, my noise-cancelling headphones. When it all gets a bit much and the senses are overloaded, I just pop on an uplifting film or TV score and it makes my brain feel like I’m going to be okay and I can take on anything. The track I’m listening to at the moment is the ‘Ava Daniels’ track from the Hacks soundtrack.

What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Straight talk here… A whole load of TV execs, queuing at my dressing room wanting to make my travel show A Broad Abroad.

But also…

More of an audience I can regularly engage with rather than just an Instagram following. Also, not to be in complete financial ruin and to be proud of what I’ve done so I can be on track to star in my travel show.

Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Marty Gleeson - Dog Ear
Lawrence Dodd - This Can’t Be It
2 Shoulder Pads - Galaxy Train

What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
The side bit of Arthur's Seat just before the car park; it’s where I go to hide when I need a moment of calm, it’s got little footfall, and is super quiet. Don’t tell anyone!

Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Unexpected, Uplifting, Absurd, Nostalgic and Unique

What keeps you inspired?
Watching things I’ve never heard of, going to comedy shows, understanding other minds, hot takes and good writing.

What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
A lightness to the serious shit we’re all facing. Something that lingers and stays with them beyond punchlines. I’m very much not saving lives but if it offers a lighter take on the heaviness of everydayness I’ll be a happy woman.

Aalex Mandel-Dallal: Where Was I? is performed at Nic 8 (Nicolson Square Gardens) at Hoots @ Nicolson Square from 7th - 30th August (not 15th) at 6.50pm. For tickets https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/aalex-mandel-dallal-where-was-i