Russell-ing up the laughs

He's rude, he is shockingly politically incorrect, and incredibly funny. And he is coming to town.

Comedy junkies in Dubai can look forward to some side-splitting gags as the world-renowned Canadian comedian Russell Peters gets set to make an appearance in Dubai on March 11 at the Crowne Plaza Ballroom.

His brother Clayton Peters, a member of Peter's management in Canada, confirmed the play date to tabloid!

"The venue holds 1,400 people and we may have an opportunity for a second show if the first one goes well," said Clayton.

Popular appeal

Russell enjoys a huge following in Dubai and although a Russell Peters show on a local TV channel is inconceivable, downloaded copies of his videos are quite popular and are lent and borrowed all the time among his fans here.

However, not many know or recollect that Russell has performed in Dubai before.

Russell told tabloid! by email: "It's been a while since I've been to Dubai and I'm really looking forward to it. I performed in Dubai several years ago. I expect that people will come to the show, laugh and have a good time."

Much of his routine centres on making fun of cultural idiosyncrasies by playing up various ethnic stereotypes.
To his fans, however, he brings a refreshing change from the staid world of political correctness.

When asked if he will scale down his jibes for fear that "somebody gonna get a-hurt real bad", the funny man promised that the approximately hour-and-a-half long show in Dubai will be a typical Russell Peters show.

"I don't take swipes, I talk about my experiences and the things that I see. I can only be full-on Russell Peters, anything else isn't being honest and that's not fair to the fans who come out to my shows."

He first shot to fame came when sound clips from the comedian's 2004 Canadian TV special started making the rounds on the Internet. Since then, he has done many TV shows and live acts around the world.

The show will also feature Angelo Tsarouchas, a good friend of Russell's, who's opened appearances for him across the United States, Canada, Singapore and Australia. Angelo is of Greek heritage and is an accomplished actor who has appeared in movies such as Cinderella Man and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.

Russell will also be doing a small United Service Organisations tour where he will be performing for the troops, both American and coalition, based in the region.

7 Things you did not know about Russell Peters

Russell's parents Eric and Maureen are from Kolkata, India.

Russell has also been a DJ since 1985. Russell's skills as a DJ are shown during the opening to the comedy special Russell Peters: Outsourced.

He is an amateur boxer and a gifted break dancer.

His full name is Russell Dominic Peters.

Peters admitted in the CBC News special that he cannot perform a Scottish accent.

He does not like Bollywood movies or its music.

He has acted with Bollywood actress Lisa Ray in the movie Quarter Life Crisis.

About the event

Date: March 11, 2007
Venue: Crowne Plaza Ballroom
Tickets: To go on sale soon
Special Guest: Angelo Tsarouchas
Visit: www.russellpeters.com