Laugh First, Mingle Later: The Laughter Factory March 2026

LUCA

Luca is an award-winning Italian comedian (naturalized British) based in Dubai, known for his unique blend of British wit and Italian warmth. Born and raised in Italy, he studied Classics and earned a Master’s in Publishing under the direction of world-famous novelist Umberto Eco. After working in the publishing industry for years, Luca took a leap of faith in his early 30s, quitting his regular job to attend drama school and pursue an acting career.

Luca’s comedy journey began in London in 2014, where his first gig was at the Gong Show at the Comedy Store- famously dubbed" the most brutal open mic in London, - which he won.

Just a year later, he also won So You Think You're Funny?, a prestigious competition for new comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

His dual citizenship shapes his distinct comedic style, blending sharp, dry wit with a charming European flair. Over the years, Luca has performed at major festivals and competitions, including Just For Laughs in Montreal (2016) and the prestigious San Francisco Comedy Competition (2023), where he placed second. He has taken seven solo shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, with his latest, Happy Orphan, receiving rave reviews.  

Luca has performed across Europe, (including the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Czech Republic), in California and in Dubai. In Italy, he has showcased his talent on Zelig, the country’s most successful TV comedy show, and on Comedy Central Italia.

In 2025, he relocated to Dubai, from where he continues to perform all over the world. TV/Radio Credits Comedy Central Italia (in Italian) Zelig ( in Italian - Canale 5)

Comedians Vs. News, The Arts Hour  (in English - BBC World Service) The Arts Hour International Comedy Show (in English - BBC World Service)

Italian Stand Up - episode 3 (In Italian - Rai 5 and on streaming in Italy on Amazon Prime Video Italy)  

Awards   

2023: Second place at the San Francisco International Comedy Competition
2023  2016: Finalist at the NATY - New Act of The Year (London, UK)
2015: Personality Award winner at the Haags Comedy Festival (The Hague, Netherlands)
2015: Finalist of Leicester Square New Comedian of The Year (London, UK)
2015: Winner of So You Think You're Funny? (Edinburgh, UK)
2014: Winner of the Comedy Store Gong Show (London, UK) 

Press quotes

‘Phenomenally entertaining storyteller’ -The Scotsman  ‘Completely endearing’ - Chortle  ‘Tremendously funny’ - Beyond the Joke ‘Simply hysterical’ - Entertainment Now ‘Cupani will become an increasingly well-known name in future years’ - Broadway Baby  

YASH BHARDWAJ

Yash, a comic and actor, has headlined and shared the stage with multiple international comics. Yash did his first Australia tour, debuting his comedy special, Brown Under at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, selling out three of the four shows.

He was invited to perform at some of the biggest comedy clubs in Sydney and Melbourne. He toured the Asia Pacific region with his comedy special, "The Expat of Arabia" in 2023. He was also shortlisted to take part in the hit UK TV show “So You Think You are Funny?” He has won various stand up comedy competitions in the region Like Beat The Camel, Comedy World Cup (twice), Colosseum Of Comedy (twice ) and the Espana Comedy Games.

He is also one of the few comics in the region to produce and perform his own hour-long sold out solo shows. Yash is the founder behind Dubai's beloved comedy club, Flamingo Live.

Apart from the regular comedy shows, Yash has done various corporate comedy shows for companies like tiktok Arabia, Team Red Dot Media, The Mediavantage, Landmark Group, Devisers Dubai and Zomato, to name a few.  

RULA KORBAN  

A Lebanese woman born in KSA, her passion for comedy since childhood manifested itself on school stages, experimental theater, improv workshops, online satire and eventually stand-up comedy.

Rula studied business administration and chose hospitality management as a career for 18 years. She managed and owned several renowned restaurants in the heart of Beirut. In 2012, Rula embarked on a five-year self-discovery journey between England, India and Europe. She pursued further studies in psychoanalysis, psycho-spirituality, integrative nutrition, Macrobiotics, and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s basic cooking and healing principles. In 2015, Rula founded her wellbeing initiative, “Leela Love in Action”, under which she facilitated workshops, organized events, gave seminars in various schools and universities and produced documentaries such as “A Zero Waste Lebanon”.

Between 2015 and 2021 she co-founded the online satire “Shroud w Tahwaji” of which many skits went viral.

She wrote and starred in her own Ramadan satire show on MTV-Lebanon, under the character of “Rajwa” which later became the online “Rajwa Show”.

In 2022 Rula ventured into the world of stand-up and found her true calling. Her colorful life’s journey and rich experience, provided her an endless bank of inspiration and a unique point of view on the world around her. She performs in both English and Arabic in reputed comedy clubs and events like Awk.Word-Beirut, Play-Beirut, Clavichord-Dubai and Abu Dhabi Comedy Festival, to name a few.

The Laughter Factory has been the UAE’s home of live stand-up for almost three decades, presenting three top-tier comedians every month — many already household names from hit UK and US TV shows. Past alumni include Russell Peters, Michael McIntyre, Dara Ó Briain, Mickey Flanagan, Jason Manford, Sarah Millican, Kevin Bridges, and Frankie Boyle.

With a reputation for discovering and showcasing the very best in comedy, The Laughter Factory has won multiple Time Out Dubai “Best Comedy Night” awards and continues to be the region’s most trusted name in live stand-up.