Interview with Ola The Comedian

The Sudanese diaspora has been instrumental in achieving a successful Sudanese revolution. One of the most active communities has been the British-Sudanese community. And you cannot talk about the British-Sudanese community without talking about Ola Labib.

Labib recently co-hosted The Culture Forum along with singer Asya Satti in London in September 2019. The Forum also featured Aymen Mao, Amira Kheir and Mr Milk; and raised money to families who lost relatives during the Sudan revolution. The Culture Forum works under the umbrella of the Sudan Relief Fund and in partnership with the Sudan Doctors Union-UK to delivering engaging and vibrant cultural event programmes to the wider community. Labib and Aysa Satti were recently been hosted by BBC Africa Radio to talk about The Culture Forum and the Sudanese revolution.

Labib is a 30-year-old clinical pharmacist by day and a stand-up comedian by night based in the UK. ‘Comedian. Black, female, Muslim aka a walking hate crime,’ says the biography of Labib on social media, highlighting how her identity plays a significant role on who she is and what she does – even for laughs. The comedian has recently began performing professionally; however, in five months, she has performed dozens of shows and in venues in London, and has even been nominated as Chester’s Comedian of the Year.

500 Words Magazine speaks with Ola Labib on her newfound path in stand-up comedy.

What inspired you to become a comedian?

I’ve always loved making people laugh and have people saying that “the party hasn’t started until Ola’s arrived”. I love the feeling of uplifting people, so why not do it as a career and make some dollar from it as a bonus?

Who are some of your favourite comedians who’ve influenced your stand-up routine?

My dad is my favourite comedian. Don’t tell me Kevin Hart and all that jazz. My dad categorically IS the funniest guy alive. And our senses of humour are so similar, from jokes to punchlines to facial expressions. 

What process do you go through to develop your stand-up comedy material?

My material is based on personal experiences some of which is meant to be funny and some which is passive aggressive in a sense. There have been negative experiences that ive been through such as racism, that ive experienced and through comedy, I tell the story of my experiences. Its out there to make people laugh, but also to think about what im saying. Sounds strange I know, but when you watch my comedy, it will make sense.

What factor does your identity – being Sudanese, black, female, Muslim and a hijab – play in what you do?

I use my experiences to write material. My experiences involve being a black Muslim female hijabi. So a lot of what I speak about evolves around these aspects. I talk about what its like being black, female and muslim and living in today’s British society with added bants. 

What challenges have you faced so far?

I think some people don’t like what I say because they don’t want to accept that people may have experienced what I have growing up in a predominately white area. So when I talk about ignorance and lack of acceptance that I’ve grown up with, some people don’t like to hear the reality of what has, and still is, occurring in this country. But will that ever stop me from expressing myself the way I do? NOPE. If they have insecurities, I know a group of good psychologists I can refer them to…called the Black Panthers.

What happens if they don’t laugh?

Usually it’s fine, and you try and get back on the flow of things but once when I was TRICKED into doing an event for an Islamic society, which I was told was a student event. I INSTANTLY knew no one was going to laugh when I saw the room was segregated and lot of the men (and some women) had huge beards. I knew my humour wouldn’t go down well. I wanted make the paper they were offering so I went for it. I think one guy in 300 people laughed at one of the jokes but got some angry stares for it. So I just said, “Woah! Tough crowd. I’m bouncing!” and came off the stage after eight minutes instead of doing my 12. On the plus side, I got to six chicken wings from the buffet in the foyer.

What have been some of your most memorable moments in your shows?

By far it was the Manchester Frog and Bucket show – the most famous comedy show in Manchester. They have a competion called Beat The Frog in which you have five minutes to impress a audience of about 400 people and if you don’t, you get booed off stage. I had only been doing it for two months at this point and I’m seeing fantastic comedians getting booed off stage. I was terrified! But I got on stage and did my opening lines and the crowd where laughing and clapping INSTANTLY. I made it past the five minutes AND won the HEATS! I’m in the semi-finals, which I’ll take part in the end of the month.

How do you use social media to promote your brand?

I use social media to tell people about the shows I have, my acheivements, and some snippets of what I’m doing. I’m not the best with social media but I do try and keep people in the know of what I’m doing. I’m loving the support I’m getting from some people and definitely feeling negativity from others. But hey! Why are you hating from outside of the club if you can’t even get in? Heeheehee! Gold star to you if you get this!

Are you or do you hope to make a living at this?

Oh, yes! Definitely. I’m growing a little everday so inshallah one day, I will be able to.

Tell us about your participation in The Culture Forum and being hosted on BBC Africa.

So I hosted the event, which was good fun! I got to interact with the audience and got a massive positive vibe as well as take part in an event that raised money for charity.

It was great meeting with the BBC and was honoured to be able to represent Sudanese females. Had to make super effort not to say anything that would get me in trouble.

Why do you think there aren’t many Sudanese female comedians? Why advice would you give to those who are interested but hesitant?

I don’t know why there aren’t any Sudanese female comedians. Maybe they don’t think their funny? I make MYSELF laugh so I always thought, if no one else laughs, at least I’m up there entertaining myself on stage. And maybe that’s the advise I’ll give: Ladies, if they ain’t laughing, at least you will be. I can’t say that’s all that matters because you’re laughing on your own. That ain’t going to pay you’re bills – unless some weird dude with a fetish for women who laugh at themselves pays you.

Upcoming projects/shows we should know about?

So I have the Semi-Final at Frog And Bucket Comedy Club in Manchester at the end of the month and got performances scattered around. You’ll see it advertised on my Instagram!

Follow Ola Labib’s comedy career @ola_thecomedian on Instagram!