Get a taste of Arab comedy at SummerFest

The United Nations of Comedy troupe offers a mix of West and East cultural comedy in the capital.

Aron Kader is part of the United Nations of Comedy troupe. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority
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Four international funny guys on The United Nations of Comedy tour are stopping for a two-night run at du Forum, Yas Island as part of SummerFest Abu Dhabi this weekend.

The group – Maz Jobrani, Aron Kader, Mike Batayeh and Nemr Abou Nasser – cast a humorous light on Arab and western cultural nuances.

Abou Nasser, Lebanon’s King of Comedy, will contribute a 30-minute act. “It will be new material,” he says. “All the comedians have a lot to offer as each of us comes from different backgrounds. Our views are different and we will provide a fresh perspective on various topics.”

SummerFest Abu Dhabi’s manager, Sultan Al Muhairi, calls the comedy offering an entertainment package for the entire family. “This troupe, based in Qatar, have wowed audiences with their own gut-busting takes on the differences between Arab and western culture,” he says. “The family-orientated show is seriously funny comedy, with a unique experience based on the workings of the actual United Nations forum.”

The international artists have Middle Eastern roots and Kader and Jobrani first tasted stardom as the founding members of the Axis of Evil Comedy tour, which started in 2005. They were eventually featured on Comedy Central and gained a global following, including a fan in King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The United Nations of Comedy comes as an extension of that timely comic relief for Arab audiences. The Iranian-born Jobrani, one of the main members of the group, is a regular at comedy clubs in New York and California when not taking on roles in Hollywood films including The Interpreter and Dragonfly.

Comedians from Stand-up Comedy Qatar – Mohamed Kamal Omar Allouba and Hilal Bilal – will chip in with anecdotes from the daily lives of locals. According to Al Muhairi, the show will entertain Arabs and expatriates alike.

Shows are from 7pm to 9pm tomorrow and Friday at du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Regular entry is Dh150, premium entry is Dh200 and VIP seating is Dh300. For more information visit www.summerfestabudhabi.ae

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