AFTER raising the bar and a few roofs with their opening gag gambit of 2019, The Laughter Factory lands three more comics on stage for February.
And this latest short tour of the UAE starts tonight in Dubai...
THE Laughter Factory has long been on a mission to beat boredom – one venue at a time.
And co-founder Gail Clough’s vow to take her visiting comedians to new parts of the emirates seems to be paying off. Her January line-up – which included JoJo Smith and Tom Stade - was a deserved sell-out.
The latest salvo of stand-ups jump into it at JBR tonight with a tried and tested fixture at the Movenpick hotel.
And this time the hat-trick of hilarity comes courtesy of Geordie funnyman John Fothergill, Lateef Lovejoy and Ria Lina.
Fothergill (pictured above) has earned widespread praise for his ability to tickle an audience.
The Guardian Guide once said: “Everything he says is funny…he looks like he was born on stage, under a follow spot, with a mic in his hand.”
And co-founder Gail Clough’s vow to take her visiting comedians to new parts of the emirates seems to be paying off. Her January line-up – which included JoJo Smith and Tom Stade - was a deserved sell-out.
The latest salvo of stand-ups jump into it at JBR tonight with a tried and tested fixture at the Movenpick hotel.
And this time the hat-trick of hilarity comes courtesy of Geordie funnyman John Fothergill, Lateef Lovejoy and Ria Lina.
Fothergill (pictured above) has earned widespread praise for his ability to tickle an audience.
The Guardian Guide once said: “Everything he says is funny…he looks like he was born on stage, under a follow spot, with a mic in his hand.”
KEEPING IT RIA: Lina has been described as fearless as she puts a witty spin on life as an Asian in the UK and more
And, much like his fellow regional comics such as Ross Noble, that accent can usually tease out a grin from just about anything.
Yet, it all could have been very different; John actually started out in showbiz in a band called One Hand One Heart, managed by Chas Chandler of Slade, Animals and Jimi Hendrix fame. The band secured record deals, but when they were dropped, he went to work on a gas rig. So you could say he’s lived a little.
Ria Lina, making her debut in the UAE, is set to connect with many in what is usually an internationally mixed audience.
Ria’s Filipino heritage gives crowds a hilarious insight into living in the UK as an Asian woman and smashes the stereotypes apart.
Entertaining both audiences with her dry wit and social commentary comedy songs for over 15 years, her charm and intelligence allows her to get away with anything from the most audacious routines to subtle wordplay.
Her show 'Dear Daughter' was winner of Best Comedy Show at the Greater Manchester Fringe and her show 'School of Riason' was nominated for the Amused Moose Laughter Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and later turned into a radio show for BBC4.
Yet, it all could have been very different; John actually started out in showbiz in a band called One Hand One Heart, managed by Chas Chandler of Slade, Animals and Jimi Hendrix fame. The band secured record deals, but when they were dropped, he went to work on a gas rig. So you could say he’s lived a little.
Ria Lina, making her debut in the UAE, is set to connect with many in what is usually an internationally mixed audience.
Ria’s Filipino heritage gives crowds a hilarious insight into living in the UK as an Asian woman and smashes the stereotypes apart.
Entertaining both audiences with her dry wit and social commentary comedy songs for over 15 years, her charm and intelligence allows her to get away with anything from the most audacious routines to subtle wordplay.
Her show 'Dear Daughter' was winner of Best Comedy Show at the Greater Manchester Fringe and her show 'School of Riason' was nominated for the Amused Moose Laughter Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and later turned into a radio show for BBC4.
NO ANTIQUE ANTICS: Not to be confused with the '80s lovable rogue, this Lovejoy is a prolific comedy creative
Ria’s show 'Taboo Raider' can be seen on NextUp Comedy on Amazon Prime, while she works on her latest show 'Resting Twitch Face'.
Lateef Lovejoy is also making his debut in the desert as one of the most distinctive acts on both the black and international comedy circuits.
Having headlined some of the best clubs around the world, his brand of funny travels well, by all accounts.
Also an actor, Lateef has appeared in a string of film, TV, radio and theatre productions, in the UK and internationally, and has recently completed writing, starring in and producing his own comedy sketch show pilot ‘HeSaidSheSaid’.
The Laughter Factory is making a debut of is own this month when the current tour closes with a first show at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach on February 22 – just along from tonight’s venue on JBR (both shows start at 9pm).
In between times, you can catch the current cabal of comics at the following:
Tomorrow, 9pm– Grand Millennium Barsha Heights, Dubai
Wednesday, 8pm– Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi
Thursday, 9pm– TRYP by Wyndham Dubai, Barsha Heights
DETAILS:
REGULAR tickets are priced at AED160, including VAT.
VISIT www.thelaughterfactory.com to book.
Lateef Lovejoy is also making his debut in the desert as one of the most distinctive acts on both the black and international comedy circuits.
Having headlined some of the best clubs around the world, his brand of funny travels well, by all accounts.
Also an actor, Lateef has appeared in a string of film, TV, radio and theatre productions, in the UK and internationally, and has recently completed writing, starring in and producing his own comedy sketch show pilot ‘HeSaidSheSaid’.
The Laughter Factory is making a debut of is own this month when the current tour closes with a first show at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach on February 22 – just along from tonight’s venue on JBR (both shows start at 9pm).
In between times, you can catch the current cabal of comics at the following:
Tomorrow, 9pm– Grand Millennium Barsha Heights, Dubai
Wednesday, 8pm– Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi
Thursday, 9pm– TRYP by Wyndham Dubai, Barsha Heights
DETAILS:
REGULAR tickets are priced at AED160, including VAT.
VISIT www.thelaughterfactory.com to book.
