Rory O’Hanlon, Ismail Abdi & Nicole Drinkwater at The Laughter Factory This May in Dubai

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• This event is strictly 21+

Rory O’Hanlon

Having started his career in Dublin, award winning Irish stand-up comedian and actor Rory O’ Hanlon is a firm favourite at comedy clubs across the UK and Ireland. Described by Chortle as having “presence, poise and timing” and by the Irish Times as having “a joke every 30 seconds”, his rapid fire delivery regularly has audiences crying with laughter.


A regular face on Irish TV, Rory has been seen on RTE’s New Comedy Awards, Republic of Telly and alongside Des Bishop in Under the Influence. He is also a veteran of stage performing with 7 consecutive solo shows at Edinburgh Fringe, including performing at in The Stand’s ‘Best of Irish’ show, as well as recent appearances at both Glasgow and Cardiff Comedy Festivals.

Rory is also known internationally, having performed all over the world, from Moscow to Berlin, Monte Carlo to Brussels, and many places in between. 2016 will see Rory heading off to Australia, where he will be performing at the prestigious Perth Comedy Festival. In addition to performing stand-up, Rory is also a prolific writer, having contributed to the Irish Post, Chortle and Hot Press magazine, and has recently starred in the short film Spring Clean, which reached the final of the 2013 Virgin Short Film Awards

ISMAIL ABDI

Ismail was born in the UAE to Somali parents and grew up between the UAE and Malaysia, where he discovered stand-up comedy during university. Living across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East has shaped both his comedy and his unique perspective, allowing him to explore cultural differences, international experiences, and the complexities of being a Somali abroad in today's world.

He began performing in 2010 at age 21 in Kuala Lumpur's comedy scene, spending two years developing his craft before moving to Somalia for nine years. His 2023 return to comedy has been marked by rapid momentum and consistent growth. In 2024, Ismail won two major Dubai comedy competitions: Beat the Gong and Colosseum of Laughs. He has performed at Abu Dhabi Comedy Week, the Dubai Comedy Festival, and The Laughter Factory Dubai, as well as solo shows in Bahrain and Egypt. His performance style is high-energy and relies heavily on impersonations and accent work to bring his multicultural material to life.

As host and producer of The Comedy Cave, Ismail runs a successful weekly Thursday night show in the UAE, establishing himself as both a performer and producer in the regional comedy scene.

His digital presence is substantial and growing. His podcast "Between Two Palms" features interviews with notable personalities and celebrities. His Instagram account has reached 347,000 followers, driven primarily by viral country roast content that resonates with international audiences. His work has been featured on Timeout Malaysia and Dubai Radio Eye.

Having performed across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Ismail brings an authentically international perspective to his material. His comedy addresses cultural clashes, modern life across different continents, and the experience of straddling multiple worlds.

He is currently developing his debut comedy special "A Somali Abroad" scheduled for release in 2026 which will showcase his observational humor, cultural insights, and dynamic stage presence.

Instagram: @ismailcomic (347K Followers)

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. Having built a following of over 500,000 through her sharp, satirical take on modern life, she represents a rare hybrid of digital influence and on-stage performance.

Originally working as a personal trainer, Nicole began creating content during the pandemic, quickly gaining traction for her bold, unfiltered voice and distinctive comedic style. What started as short-form online content evolved into a rapidly growing platform, with her work resonating with a wide audience drawn to her honesty, relatability, and willingness to push boundaries.

Following challenges with platform restrictions and having to rebuild parts of her audience, Nicole developed a strong and loyal community, further refining her voice and creative direction. This ability to adapt and evolve has become a defining part of her journey, shaping the perspective she now brings to her comedy. With a clear and established presence online, Nicole has since transitioned into stand-up, bringing that same energy and authenticity to the stage. Her material blends observational comedy with personal storytelling, delivered with confidence, edge, and a natural ability to connect with audiences in the moment.

Now performing regularly across Dubai’s comedy circuit, Nicole is quickly building a reputation as a compelling and dynamic new act. Her background in content creation gives her a unique understanding of modern audiences, allowing 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, reaching over 20 million viewers across her platforms.

Founded in 1996, The Laughter Factory is the UAE’s longest-running and most awarded comedy club. Hosting three top-tier international comedians every month, the club has introduced thousands across the region to names including Russell Peters, Michael McIntyre, Dara Ó Briain, Mickey Flanagan, Jason Manford, Sarah Millican, Kevin Bridges, Frankie Boyle and more.

A multi-time winner of Time Out Dubai’s “Best Comedy Night”, The Laughter Factory remains the region’s most trusted name in stand-up. 

By car: Take Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan St/E10, continue onto 8th St, then onto 3rd St/Al Meena St. Turn right onto Shinaf St. (signs for Yas Island), then turn left onto Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St./E12. Turn right to reach your destination.

By public transportation: Take bus 94 (Mamsha Al Saadiyat< Via Louvre) to the Shk. Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Rd./The Club stop and take a minute's walk from there. 

By taxi: You can easily reach your destination by using a taxi or by using a ride-hailing app.