Cooped-up comedian Akmal ready to cut loose at Adelaide Fringe

Egyptian born comedian Akmal is glad this year’s Adelaide Fringe will go ahead – or at least he’s thankful it will get him out of the house.

Egyptian born Australian comedian Akmal Saleh. Picture: Supplied by A-List Entertainment

After months in isolation, staring at the wall and muttering madly to himself, Egypt-born comic Akmal Saleh is glad the Fringe is going ahead – even if some other major Adelaide events aren’t.

“The thing I love most about the Adelaide Fringe is that it is on and actually happening,” the NSW-based comedian says.

When asked what his new show is about, Akmal says it is “about 10 minutes too long”.

Most Fringe shows run for an hour, with tight turnaround times before the next act at major hubs such as Gluttony, where he will perform in the Flamingo venue throughout the festival, from February 19 to March 21.

Egyptian born Australian comedian Akmal Saleh. Picture: Supplied by A-List Entertainment

Unlike those motorsport fans who held a rally in Adelaide yesterday, Akmal doesn’t sound too upset that some rival events won’t being going ahead this year.

“I went to watch the Clipsal 500 V8 Supercars, I paid $180 to look at traffic,” he quips.

He also doesn’t plan to catch other Fringe comedy acts between his own performances.

“I will not be watching comedians because, if they’re great, I feel sad and envious. If they’re bad, I feel sad for them – it’s a lose-lose.

“Having said that, I do love Ross Noble. I also hate him.”

That’s probably because Ross is also playing at Gluttony, in the Cornucopia venue, on the same dates – and at the same time as Akmal.

“Adelaide audiences are the best audiences in Australia,” Akmal says, before adding: “I only say that when in Adelaide.”

“Comedy is tragedy plus time, so I would say there are many other places that have provided me with comedy, like Rockhampton. Adelaide, not so much.”

Full program and tickets at gluttony.net.au