Russell Brand’s show unlikely to fly in UAE

A rumoured upcoming performance by controversial British comedian Russell Brand might be too racy for the UAE, local event organisers are saying.

The silver-tongued Brand has reportedly booked a date for two shows in Abu Dhabi, according to an interview with the comedian published on Monday in the Guardian newspaper, before he heads to Palestine and Israel. Called Messiah Complex, the stand-up show will also travel across the US, Europe and South Africa.

“Whilst I would like to promote Russell Brand and his comedy here, until he tours a show appropriate for this market, I cannot see how it would work nor how the authorities here would feel comfortable with it,” said Done Events COO Thomas Ovesen. “Also, as is our practice of always engaging with our artists prior to them arriving here, explaining to them the cultural and religious sensitivities of this market, I would be very surprised if this artist would himself be comfortable with doing his current show here.”

Done Events recently brought another UK comedian, Michael McIntyre for two sold-out gigs in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi’s biggest event company, Flash Entertainment, was not available for comment at the time of going to press.

Brand told the UK’s Independent that the show “will analyse a mental disorder where you think you might be the messiah”.

When asked by tabloid! for clarification, a representative of his Los Angeles-based production company, Branded Films, did not confirm or deny the news, only saying “the date has not been confirmed”.

Known for his edgy brand of humour, the 38-year-old, a household name in the UK, recently suffered a setback when his American show, ‘Brand X’, was cancelled by a network after viewers found it offensive.

He has tried to build a career in Hollywood over the years, appearing in the comedies including ‘Get Him to the Greek’ (2010), ‘Arthur’ in 2011 and the Tom Cruise musical ‘Rock of Ages’ last year. On New Year’s Eve of 2011, Brand reportedly sent a text message to his wife, Katy Perry, saying he wanted a divorce after 14 months of marriage. His next role is as one of the voices of the animated film ‘Despicable Me 2’, which releases in the US in July.