Fresh from the Fringe: The Laughter Factory’s hot October line-up
Larry Dean and Allyson June Smith to make regional debuts for long-running comedy institution
A garrulous Scott, an over-sharing Canadian and a neurotic Englishman walk into a comedy club. What happens next?
We hope you’ve already clocked the punchline – because The Laughter Factory’s October tour is one of dazzling diversity, mixing of-the-moment upstarts with veteran talent, and British reserve with North American reveal. Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe is the fiercely original Larry Dean.
This utterly unexpected talent burst onto the scene when he was named Scottish Comedian Of The Year in 2013, before hitting it huge with last year’s solo show Out Now!, which enjoyed an acclaimed sell-out Edinburgh run. Dean makes his Dubai debut fresh from premiering hyped follow-up Farcissist.
Also making a first Laugher Factory appearance is the outrageously outspoken Canadian comic Allyson June Smith, who arrives fresh from warming up Jason Manford’s UK tour, who quipped “I think I need a different less-good support!” after having to follow her onstage. Happy to delve into the most intimate details of her personal life, Smith’s brash delivery has made her a celebrity at home, nominated numerous times for Best Female Stand-up at the Canadian Comedy Awards.
The bill is rounded out by upcoming English stand-up Nick Dixon, an overnight sensation who has earned a reputation for showing wit and spark while exposing an unhealthy vulnerability and self-deprecation. After smashing it on his last tour, Nick returns to The Laughter Factory fresh from recently taping his second appearance for TV network Comedy Central.
The Laughter Factory – October listings
What: The Laughter Factory starring Larry Dean, Allyson June Smith and Nick Dixon
Where/when:
Wednesday, October 12 – Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi (8pm)
Thursday, October 13 – Movenpick JBR (9pm)
Friday, October 14 – Movenpick JBR (9pm)
Monday, October 17 – Grand Hyatt Doha (8pm)
Tuesday, October 18 – Grand Hyatt Doha (8pm)
Wednesday, October 19 – McGettigan’s JLT (8pm)
Thursday, October 20 – Grand Millennium Dubai (9pm)
Friday, October 21 – The Gramercy, DIFC (9pm)
Price: Dhs140/OR 140 – book now at thelaughterfactory.com
Evening Comedy Brunch, from Dh280, available from selected venues,
see thelaughterfactory.com.
Ages 21+ only. Contact: 00971 50 878 6728
Introducing the comics…
Larry Dean
A sharp-talking Scot who defies all expectations, Larry Dean is one of the most original voices to emerge from the UK comedy scene in years. Praised by The Guardian for his “cheeky-chappie shtick”, and described by the London Evening Standard as “fascinatingly funny”, this garrulous Glaswegian is already well on the way to becoming a household name. It has been an incredible ascent. Dean was 23 years old when he was named Scottish Comedian Of The Year, in 2013. Larry’s star went supernova with last year’s solo show Out Now!, which captivated audiences and critics alike with a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe debut, and earned nominations for the Fosters Comedy Awards’ Best Newcomer and the Scottish Comedy Awards’ Best Festival Show. Next, Dean took that eye-opening hour of stand-up on tour throughout the UK, and made a much talked-about debut at the’ Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Allstars Supershow Opening Night Gala. In a snowball of happy hype, Larry was invited on the road supporting A-listers Stephen K Amos and Eddie Izzard, and has made a mark on the airwaves with numerous TV appearances, including BBC Presents: Best Of The Edinburgh Festival and Live From The BBC. He arrives in Dubai fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe stage, where this summer Larry debuted new show Farcissist. The city’s critical Fest Magazine served him with a five-star review, declaring “Dean is unmissable, with razor-sharp gags and precise timing, proving that he is one to watch in years to come. “ Appearing on a Laughter Factory bill for the first time, this serious talent should be on any comedy fan’s bucket list.
Allyson June Smith
Hilariously observational and not afraid to over-share, Allyson June Smith is a funny firecracker of confessional wit, bite and shame. Hailing from Canada, Allyson brings a certain North American bluntness to her deeply personal brand of stand up – expect to hear about lost dates and lost days, the birds, the bees, the blues, and all manner of modern life issues facing this decidedly bold female stand-up comic. Ditching a career as a classroom teacher, Smith has been on the scene since 2000, earning notable celebrity in her home country with multiple nominations for Best Female Stand-up at the Canadian Comedy Awards. Back home, Allyson also taped her own hour-long Comedy Now special, and scored multiple headline slots at the Winnipeg, Halifax and Montreal’s Just For Laughs festivals. She is a regular warm-up for compatriot comic Stewart Francis, who called her “yet another hilarious Canadian with great hair.” Another fan is recent Laughter Factory celebrity headliner Jason Manford, who conceded: “She has set the bar high! Think I need a different less-good support!”. Ouch.
Nick Dixon
Witty British funnyman Nick Dixon arrived out of nowhere to a unanimous critical welcome. After just three months of stand-up experience, in 2011 Dixon reached the final stages of The Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year. Next he beat off competition from 800 entrants to bag a slot on BBC Radio’s prized New Comedy Awards. Within a year he was a finalist in the career-making 2012 Edinburgh Fringe new comic contest, So You Think You’re Funny? A bright new talent had officially arrived. Rather than being threatened, his established contemporaries are converts. Jason Manford hailed Nick as “well worth looking out for”, while Adam Bloom called Dixon “a superb thinker.” Renowned for an intelligent mix of wit, vulnerability and insight, Dixon tunnels the subtle art of self-deprecation into fresh and hilarious depths. Nick recently taped his second live TV slot for Comedy Central at The Comedy Store, cementing the rise of an unstoppable ascent. About The Laughter Factory The Laughter Factory is the Middle East’s longest-running comedy night, proudly making the GCC laugh since 1997. Thanks to a longstanding partnership with the UK’s Comedy Store, The Laughter Factory hosts a fresh bill of three different professional comedians every month, many already familiar stars of the screen on hit UK TV shows. With a reputation for quality and a sharp eye for talent, The Laughter Factory has showcased reams of A-list comics on their way to superstardom, including Michael McIntyre, Russell Peters, Ed Byrne, Dara O’Brien, Ross Noble, Jason Manford, Sean Hughes, Kevin Bridges and Frankie Boyle. The Laughter Factory’s commitment to comedy has been recognised by numerous publications, winning several accolades over its two-decade history, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Time Out Dubai in 2013.
Find out more
Website: www.thelaughterfactory.com
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Media contact
Gail Clough (co-founder) +97150 100 3074
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