Comedy Reserve Interview: Josh Jones, Lily Phillips, Mo Omar, and Mamoun Elagab
The Comedy Reserve, a collection of debut comedians who perform fifteen minutes each in an hour-long show, has discovered household names including Jack Whitehall, Joe Lycett, and Roisin Conaty.
The Comedy Reserve is supported by the Charlie Hartill Special Reserve Fund, with Josh Jones, Lily Phillips, Mamoun Elagab, and Mo Omar making up this year's recipients!
Dominic Johnson sat down to catch up with the quartet, who were photographed by Greta Mitchell.
Catch them at 21:30 each evening in the Pleasance Dome!
Josh Jones:
How would you describe your comedy style?
Gay and northern!
Who’s your comic hero?
Kiri Pritchard-McClean. The comedians on the Northern circuit too - Mick Ferry and Dan Nightingale.
Best heckle you’ve ever received?
They’re all shit!
Best comic you’ve seen this year?
Nigel Ng!
Best moment of the Fringe this year?
Meeting the rest of the Reserve as they’re all on a different circuit to me - and not having to flyer for our show!
Why should people come to see the Comedy Reserve?
We’re four up and coming comics, catch us now rather than later!
@JoshuassJones
Lily Phillips:
How would you describe your comic style?
Sarcastic, low-energy and feminist.
Who’s your comic hero?
Amy Schumer: coming from outside comedy, she appealed to me as a straight up and confident woman.
Best moment of the Fringe?
Joe Lycett (ex-Comedy Reserve) following and messaging me on Twitter as I was coming up to Edinburgh!
Worst moment of the Fringe?
When Mamoun didn’t turn up on stage because he was on the loo - we had no idea where he was!
What’s the best thing you’ve seen at the Fringe?
Janine Harouni’s show was a masterclass.
Why should people come to see the Comedy Reserve?
Our materials and styles are so different, it’s rare to get a compilation show with such different perspectives on life.
@lily_comedy
Mo Omar:
What’s your comic style like?
Conversational, chatty.
Who’s your comic hero?
Maria Banford - especially for the Netflix special she recorded with her parents making up the entire audience.
Worst moment of the Fringe?
Having to eat a really spicy meatball marinara really quickly on my way up here, then needing to wash my hands and face profusely when I arrived.
What show are you really excited to see?
Huge Davies! If only for the fact he has a full-size keyboard around his neck for the entire show.
Why should people come to see the comedy reserve?
They need to see us before we get big!
@mokultra
Mamoun Elagab:
How would you describe your comic style?
Conversationalist and relaxed.
Who’s your comic hero?
Dave Chappelle.
Best shows you’ve seen?
Michael Odewale (ex-Comedy Reserve) and Kai Samra.
Best moment at the Fringe?
Finding a really nice Greek restaurant, but I can’t remember what it was called or where it was.
What’s the best heckle you’ve ever had?
Once, a woman at an open mic night in Oxford told me I was shit, which I actually needed to be told at the time.
@mamounstandup
Dominic Johnson
@dominicwjohnson











