Top comedians from India, the UK, and the Middle East join the Dubai Comedy Festival lineup.
Dubai: Emmy-winning Indian comedian Vir Das will headline the seventh edition of the Dubai Comedy Festival, which returns to the city from October 9 to 18 with an exciting programme featuring over 40 shows across eight languages.
Organisers on Wednesday announced the first set of performers for the festival, revealing a diverse lineup of comedy stars from around the world. The roster includes British comedian Mo Gilligan, Indian comedians Jamie Lever, Munawar Faruqui and Amit Tandon, Lebanese comic John Achkar, Northern Irish performer Shane Todd, Russian comedian Alexander Merkul, and Kuwaiti theatrical production Mohandis Al Thauq Al Aam.
The festival will once again turn venues across Dubai into vibrant comedy hubs, catering to the city’s diverse, multicultural audience with performances in English, Arabic, Hindi, Russian, French, and several other languages.
Das, who previously sold out his Dubai Comedy Festival appearances in 2022, will bring this year’s festival to a close with a one-night performance at Coca-Cola Arena on October 18.
The Emmy Award-winning comedian is celebrated for his insightful and witty takes on culture, identity, and modern life, establishing him as one of India’s most globally recognised stand-up performers.
Among the Indian comedians joining this year’s lineup is Jamie Lever, daughter of veteran comedian Johnny Lever, who will make her Dubai Comedy Festival debut on October 10 at Emirates Theatre. Her Hindi-language performance is designed for audiences aged eight and above.
Munawar Faruqui will return to the festival on October 11 with a new hour of stand-up at Dubai Opera, while Amit Tandon will take the stage at the same venue on October 18 with his latest show, Aise Kaise.
Arabic-language comedy will take centre stage as well, with Lebanese comedian John Achkar returning to the festival with Feena Nehke on October 17. The Kuwaiti comedy play Mohandis Al Thauq Al Aam will kick off the festival on October 9 and 10 at Dubai Opera.
Meanwhile, Northern Irish comedian Shane Todd will make his festival debut with Hold Me Back at the New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, while Russian comedian Alexander Merkul will bring his audience-driven improvisational comedy show to the stage on October 15.
Organisers said more performers and festival programming details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Ticket registration is now open, with sales set to begin soon through the festival’s official website. Prices for the first announced shows will start at Dh125, varying by performance and venue.
