Double over with laughter in Dubai
In a time when we could all do with a few laughs, one unlikely pair have got them rolling in the aisles at Dubomedy
Once upon a time, an Emirati gentleman and an Italian-American lady came together to revolutionise the local entertainment scene in Dubai.
Raised in two completely different worlds, working partners Ali Al Sayed and Mina Liccione are the brains and talent behind the recently launched Dubomedy Monday Night Funnies at the Warehouse Lounge, Le Meridien Dubai.
With her roots in clowning and his in business, a dual passion for comedy and a desire to nurture local talent sparked an instant connection.
Dubomedy, part of Viva Dubai headed by Al Sayed, provides comedy and dance education aimed at building and sustaining a local arts community in Dubai.
Finding her feet
Arriving in the UAE in the summer of 2007 fresh from the US, “I had no idea what I was in for,” says New Yorker, Liccione. Quickly realising her superimposed American comedy would not translate to a UAE crowd, she revamped the whole show in one night: “What works in America doesn’t work here, nor should it.”
Two years on and Liccione is now Artistic Director of Dubomedy’s, Laugh out Loud (LOL) and Dance out Loud (DOL) weekly classes, plus Professor of improvisation and movement at the New York Film Academy, Abu Dhabi.
Finding a niche
Ali Al Sayed believes comedy has become a necessity in Dubai, because although the emirate is home to many different cultures, there can sometimes be a monotonous working routine which the show aims to break.
Al Sayed, also a stand-up comedy act at Monday Night Funnies, said the headline acts previously brought to Dubai were just like watching YouTube: “Apart from the first 45 seconds, I’m wasn’t connecting to the comedian. People here want to hear stories they can relate to, about situations they go through every day.”
The power of laughter
Feeding off, of and learning from one another, the comedy duo are a true example of East meets West. Liccione, explaining a classic clowning formula said: “There is always a number one and a number two,” the straight man and the funny guy. “He has a level of understanding that I never will.”
In a place where status is sometimes deemed everything, appearing weak can seem scary. “It’s hard for people to be vulnerable and talk about their fears but comedy gives people a chance to talk about it with a smile,” explains Liccione. “So it’s a connection that’s really healing.”
