The growing demand for standup comedy shows in Qatar is significantly contributing to the diverse entertainment on offer, renowned Qatari comedian Hamad al-Amari has said.
Since the launch of the first edition of the Doha Comedy Festival (DCF) during the Qatar Summer Festival 2015, al-Amari noted that the number of spectators of the show has been increasing continuously.
“In the first edition, we had 1,000 people, in the second we had over 3,000 and this edition we are hoping to get 5,000 or 6,000 people, over 6,000 tickets to be sold, the audience is growing,” al-Amari said at a briefing yesterday.
The DCF is presented by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), and organised and produced by The Social Studios as part of Shop Qatar festival 2017.
Ticket sales for the three day show have so far exceeded 4,500 “and many of those tickets are expensive,” according to Hamzeh Zahr, managing director, The Social Studios.
The three nights of DCF, scheduled from February 2 to 4 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), have been themed based on each comedian’s repertoire and style, catering to a diverse range of audience.
Arab expatriate performers will take the centre-stage on the first day, renowned GCC comedians on the second day (Khaleeji), and an impressive lineup of stars (British, South African, and American comedians) on the third day (International), including the host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, and winner of America’s Got Talent, Paul Zerdin.
“There is a very diverse audience and ticket sales are increasing, which is an indication for us like myself as a comedian, that there is an audience for comedy,” al-Amari pointed out.
Zahr echoed the comedian’s statement saying “this is what keeps us going, this is what makes us continuously believe that this is actually something natural to this melted community that aspires to be a global city.”
He said the growing popularity of standup comedy in the region, particularly in Qatar, is a testament to the flourishing of Arab artistic talents.
The DCF forms part of several entertainment shows offered at Shop Qatar such as the Hussein al-Jassmi concert tomorrow at the QNCC, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking 2015 Olivier award nominated musical CATS from February 1 to 4, also at the QNCC.
The festival will also organise an outdoor fashion show on February 2 at 7pm at the Lagoona Mall Piazza, featuring a total of 15 designers who will present 100 different looks from a variety of collections such as bridal couture, abayas, kaftans, and ready-to-wear outfits.
QTA’s festivals and tourism events director Mashal Shahbik said the fireworks will be resumed from February 2 to 4 over Doha Corniche. Food trucks will return to the Sheraton Park during the same period.