In a landmark moment for the UAE comedy scene, Dubai-based comedian Saaniya Abbas is set to become the first local comic to officially debut a solo show at the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe – and she’s giving Dubai & Abu Dhabi audiences an exclusive preview before taking the global stage by storm.
Partnering with The Laughter Factory, the Middle East’s longest-running and most respected comedy club, Saaniya will showcase her new solo hour, Hellarious. Known for curating lineups that have featured comedy icons like Russell Peters, Michael McIntyre, and Sarah Millican, The Laughter Factory’s support highlights the rising prominence of regional talent in the global comedy landscape.
With over half a million followers and an ever-growing international presence, Saaniya has already graced iconic venues including The Comedy Cellar and The Stand in New York, opened for Frankie Boyle at the Victorious Festival in the UK, and toured across India and the UK – delivering her signature mix of sharp storytelling and devilish charm to sold-out rooms. She has also opened for acclaimed comedians Jason Manford and Schalk Bezhuidenhout, further cementing her reputation as a rising force on the global comedy stage.
Now, she heads to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the largest and most prestigious arts festival in the world, attracting over 3 million attendees each August. For nearly eight decades, the Fringe has launched the careers of countless comedy legends and remains the ultimate proving ground for comics worldwide. Saaniya’s inclusion in this year’s lineup marks a major milestone – not just personally, but for Dubai’s emerging creative scene.
In Hellarious, she invites audiences into her most personal and side-splitting journey yet – unpacking the cultural chaos of divorce, the absurdity of internet fame, and her deliciously irreverent take on what “hell” might really look like. It’s comedy with claws, as she traces her path from a sheltered upbringing to an unfiltered, independent voice cutting through on the global stage.
“My mother always said I’d go to hell,” Saaniya says. “So I figured I might as well write a show about it.”
With her signature blend of fierce insight and feline mischief, Hellarious is a bold celebration of resilience, rebellion, and self-discovery. And this special preview in collaboration with The Laughter Factory marks a full-circle moment – bringing international ambition back to the stage where it all began.
Catch Hellarious in Dubai (The Agenda, Dubai Media City) before it debuts at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This isn’t just comedy – it’s history in the making.
Friday 30th May – Mezz, The Agenda Dubai Media City 8:30PM
Over 21 only