Saudi project backs budding comics to stand up and join thriving scene
The hunt is on to find Saudi Arabia’s next comedy star. A government-backed programme called Comedy Factory is being launched to build on the success of the kingdom’s thriving stand-up scene, which has led to the opening of clubs and local comics finding global fame.
The initiative was announced by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority. The move aims to “enhance the entertainment scene in Saudi Arabia”. He added that distinctive comedic content reflects the Saudi identity and provides a platform to discuss societal issues.
The initiative, which is currently calling for aspiring comedians and performers to register their interest online, also aims to develop stage and theatre talents.
Two of the country’s most popular comedians, Ibrahim Al Hajjaj and Ibrahim Alkhairallah, first found success on stage, which has since extended across the country’s entertainment fields.
The two collaborated on the film Sattar: The Return of the Legendary Slap, which broke box office records for a Saudi movie by a significant margin last year.
Al Hajjaj, who has toured around the world and participated in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, said that comedy was an integral part of the Saudi identity. “We don’t say jokes only for the joke,” he told The National at the time. “I love the form of stand-up comedy. One man tells jokes, and he has hidden messages behind his jokes, criticising this and that, observing society and all.”
House of Comedy, the club that Al Hajjaj co-founded in Saudi Arabia with Talal Alenizi, Faisal Adoukhi and Faisal Alenizi, has become a de facto breeding ground of new Saudi stand-up talent.
“Today, House of Comedy is generating talents,” said Al Hajjaj. “In the last audition we did, we found two lovely female Saudi comedians and they’re going to start doing shows with us.
“There are a lot of female comedians in Saudi now, and it’s beautiful. A lot of comedians are coming out. [The scene] is becoming bigger and bigger.”
There are eight dedicated comedy clubs across the kingdom. Established organisations, including MBC, have also started scouting for talents for their productions. “They’ve come up with maybe 300 talents, females and males,” he added.
The Ministry of Culture has long supported their efforts, Al Hajjaj said. While Alkhairallah recently won the top film prize at this year’s Joy Awards in Saudi Arabia for Sattar.