Laughter Factory

The Laughter Factory is back. We look at the line-up. Discuss this article

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The glorious achievement of reaching its 10th anniversary year may now be lost in the mists of 2008, but UAE comedy stalwarts The Laughter Factory aren’t about to settle into any laurel-resting – judging by their first outing in the New Year, their line-ups are just going to keep moving from strength to strength.

First up in the 2009 programme is self-confessed ‘relative newcomer to the alternative comedy scene’, singing comedian, Andy Askins. Yes, we tend to shudder at those words too, but Askins – unlike many who seem to use their guitar/piano/penny whistle as a not-too-successful distraction from the fact that their jokes just aren’t that funny – genuinely knows how to make an audience laugh. His debut at London’s legendary Comedy Store club resulted in him being immediately invited back to perform for full weekends – not an honour that’s bestowed on just anyone.

Also featured on the bill is British Asian, Paul Sinha, who aims, he says, to prove ‘there really is life after [hugely successful Brit Asian sketch show] Goodness, Gracious Me’. We just like the fact that he’s also a qualified MD – what is it about the British professional classes that doctors (Sinha and surreal fellow funnyman Harry Hill) and lawyers (Bob Mortimer of Reeves & Mortimer fame and wisecracking chat show host Clive Anderson to name but two) feel the need to jack it all in for a life of comedy? We’ll never know.

Rounding all this up is Andre Vincent, whose CV (child actor-turned-chorister-turned-circus performer-turned-comedian) probably says all you need to know. Looks like the first Laughter Factory of 2009 is going to be a good one – book your tickets now.

Various venues, Jan 8-15. Dhs115. Visit www.thelaughterfactory.com or call Time Out Tickets on 800 4669.