Each month, The Laughter Factory gives the residents of the UAE something to smile about. With gigs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the monthly event brings three international comedians to the country.
April’s line-up, which is being called the Axis of Silliness, has another trio of acclaimed comics, including Canadian Tanyalee Davis, Scotsman Stephen Carlin and Asian-American Omid Singh.
Davis, who stands at 3ft 6ins, is back for a second time. Diminutive she may be, but her sets are big on laughs. With a mantra of “be brave, be very brave”, anyone who saw her sets on her previous visit will know she doesn’t hold back. You can expect to blush at some of her more out-there material.
Carlin, who’s in town for the first time, has some big-name fans, including The Office co-creator Stephen Merchant, critically acclaimed Stewart Lee and Laughter Factory favourite Tom Stade. He’s a big hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and his latest show Pickwickian was a sell out.
His razor-sharp wit takes everyday observations and puts them through his idiosyncratic filter before delivering them in deadpan, laconic style.
Singh. who is half-Iranian and half-Indian and lives in the US, draws on his heritage for his material. He’s a former UAE resident, too.
He’s been performing since he was 16 years old and was soon hooked on the career, using his diversity as a source of inspiration. He’s a regular opener for Maz Jobrani, too.
As always, there’ll be an after-party at the end of each show, which offers the chance to say hello to the acts and get to know them and the Laughter Factory team a little more.
The tour starts on April 9 in Dubai at the Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach The Walk, before moving to the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort the following night. The comedians will then move to Abu Dhabi, where they’ll perform at the Park Rotana Abu Dhabi on April 15 before they returnto Dubai with shows at the Grand Millennium Barsha Heights and TRYP by Wyndham on April 16 and 17 respectively.
If you buy your ticket before April 1 it’ll be Dhs140, after that tickets are Dhs160. There are discounts for large groups, too.
From Dhs140, Various venues and times. Apr 9-17. www.thelaughterfactory.com.
