30 Years Of Laughs - And Still Booking The Comedians You Want To See in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

John Fothergill

John Fothergill is an internationally experienced stand-up comedian and regular headliner, with sell-out shows across the UK and appearances throughout the Far East, Middle East, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

His credits include acclaimed performances in Cape Town, Adelaide, Melbourne, New Zealand, the Edinburgh Fringe and Derry’s comedy festival, as well as special guest appearances on Little Britain Live and Ed Byrne’s live tour.

His television and live comedy credits include Live at the Comedy Store, Live at Jongleurs and Dublin’s Laughter Lounge, alongside appearances on various topical comedy shows.

A long-term member of the influential Cutting Edge team at London’s Comedy Store, John has established himself as a regular headliner at major comedy venues and one of the most experienced comedians in the business.

“Everything he says is funny... he looks like he was born onstage, under a follow spot, with a mic in his hand.” - The Guardian

“Relaxed and happy to banter with the crowd... the stand out of the night.” - The Age, Melbourne

“A top comedy turn and a right funny bloke.” - The Sun

Before stand-up, John performed in the band One Hand One Heart, managed by Chas Chandler, known for his work with Slade, The Animals and Jimi Hendrix. The band was signed by Epic and later Sony. After the band was dropped, John went on to work on a gas rig before establishing himself in comedy.

Valentina Danubio

Valentina Danubio is an Italian stand-up comedian from Sicily, based in Dubai since 2015, with an Instagram audience of more than 75,000 followers.

She began her stand-up career in 2023 and won *Survival of the Funniest* just six months later.

Since then, she has performed across the UAE and internationally, appearing regularly at The Laughter Factory and Pepperoni Comedy Club, and performing as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Season alongside international comedians.

Her international credits include performances in Saudi Arabia, Cyprus and Italy, and she has shared the stage with acts including Netflix-featured comedian Robby Collins.

Valentina is also a driving force behind Italian-language comedy in the region, co-producing and performing Italian comedy shows in Dubai.

Her comedy is sharp, personal and unapologetically relatable, drawing on life as an Italian working mother in the Middle East. Her material covers family, marriage, motherhood, body image, work and cultural differences.

She also incorporates ukulele into selected comedy routines, adding a playful musical twist to her stand-up.

TABARAK

Born in Karachi and based in Dubai, TABARAK is a stand-up comedian known for his unique and highly skewed observations on everyday life.

His quick wit, charisma and ferociously aggressive comedic style have made him a regular presence on Dubai’s local comedy circuit.

He is one of the winners of the Short & Sweet Comedy Festival, Espana Comedy Games and Beat The Camel, among other competitions.

Nicole Drinkwater

Nicole Drinkwater is a British comedian and content creator, part of a new wave of performers bridging the gap between online and live comedy.

She has built a following of more than 500,000 through her sharp, satirical take on modern life and has reached over 20 million viewers across her platforms.

Originally working as a personal trainer, Nicole began creating content during the pandemic and quickly gained traction for her bold, unfiltered voice and distinctive comedic style.

What began as short-form online content developed into a rapidly growing platform, with her work resonating with audiences through its honesty, relatability and willingness to push boundaries.

After facing challenges with platform restrictions and having to rebuild parts of her audience, Nicole developed a strong and loyal community while continuing to refine her voice and creative direction.

She has since transitioned into stand-up, bringing the same energy and authenticity to the stage. Her material combines observational comedy with personal storytelling, delivered with confidence, edge and a natural ability to connect with audiences.

Now performing regularly across Dubai’s comedy circuit, Nicole is building a reputation as a compelling and dynamic new act.

Her background in content creation gives her a unique understanding of modern audiences and allows her to bridge the gap between digital and live performance in a way that feels fresh, relevant and engaging.

With a growing presence both online and on stage, Nicole Drinkwater is emerging as a distinctive new voice in comedy and one to watch.

Ahmad Kasid

Ahmad Kasid is a Filipino bilingual stand-up comedian based in the UAE, performing in both English and Arabic.

He blends storytelling with humour, transforming ordinary moments into memorable comedy while drawing on his Filipino heritage and Middle Eastern upbringing.

His cross-cultural perspective allows him to connect with audiences from different backgrounds, with a focus on bringing people together through laughter.

His credits include entertaining at Forbes Middle East events, hosting for Abu Dhabi Comedy Week and performing regularly across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

He has also headlined and MC’d corporate events for audiences of 500 or more attendees and produces stand-up comedy shows across the UAE.

Ahmad specialises in clean comedy, making him well-suited to Ramadan and Suhoor shows.

His vision is simple: to make one person laugh a day, one day at a time.