Laughter Factory May Line-up: Rory O'Hanlon, Ismail Abdi & Nicole Drinkwater Hit UAE

The Laughter Factory returns to the UAE in May 2026 with a powerhouse three-act line-up featuring Irish stand-up sensation Rory O'Hanlon, UAE-born rising star Ismail Abdi, and British content creator Nicole Drinkwater. According to The Laughter Factory's announcement, the comedy tour will hit seven venues across Dubai and Abu Dhabi from May 8-16.

What to expect from the May line-up

Irish comedian Rory O'Hanlon headlines the tour, bringing his rapid-fire delivery, which the Irish Times describes as "a joke every 30 seconds". The TV regular has appeared on Republic of Telly and shared stages with Bill Burr, earning praise from Chortle for his "presence, poise and timing".

UAE-born comedian Ismail Abdi joins as the regional talent, fresh off winning both Dubai's Beat the Gong and Colosseum of Laughs competitions in 2024. His high-energy style relies heavily on impersonations and accent work, drawing from his multicultural upbringing between the UAE and Malaysia.

Making her Laughter Factory debut, British comedian Nicole Drinkwater brings her digital-to-live crossover appeal. The content creator has built a following of over 500,000 across platforms with her sharp, satirical take on modern life.

Tour dates and venues

The comedy tour spans nine days with shows at premium venues across both emirates. Dubai hosts five performances, whilst Abu Dhabi gets one dedicated show.

• May 8: Studio One Hotel, Dubai (8.30pm)
• May 9: Jumeirah Golf Estate (7pm)
• May 10: The Club, Abu Dhabi (7pm)
• May 11: Aura SKYPOOL, The Palm (8.30pm)
• May 14: Radisson DAMAC Hills (7pm)
• May 15: Radisson DAMAC Hills (8.30pm)
• May 16: Dukes The Palm, Dubai (8.30pm)

Each show includes an after-party where audiences can chat about favourite moments and meet fellow comedy fans in what organisers describe as a "relaxed, buzzing atmosphere".

Who are the comedians?

Rory O'Hanlon has performed seven consecutive solo shows at Edinburgh Fringe and appeared at Glasgow and Cardiff Comedy Festivals. His international career has taken him from Moscow to Berlin, with upcoming appearances at the Perth Comedy Festival.

Ismail Abdi represents the growing UAE comedy scene. Born locally to Somali parents, he spent nine years in Somalia before returning to comedy in 2023. He now hosts The Comedy Cave, a weekly Thursday night show, and his Instagram account has reached 347,000 followers.

Nicole Drinkwater transitioned from personal training to content creation during the pandemic. Her online presence reaches over 20 million viewers across platforms, and she's now building her reputation on Dubai's comedy circuit.

Tickets and booking

Tickets are available exclusively at www.thelaughterfactory.com, with early-bird pricing available until May 4th. Organisers recommend early booking due to limited seating at all venues.

All Laughter Factory shows are strictly for over-21s only. For booking details and enquiries, call 050 878 6728.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is The Laughter Factory May show?

The Laughter Factory May tour runs from May 8-16, 2026, with shows across multiple venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The tour includes seven performances over nine days.

Where can I buy tickets for The Laughter Factory May line-up?

Tickets are available exclusively at www.thelaughterfactory.com. Early bird tickets are available until May 4th, and organisers recommend booking early due to limited seating.

Who is performing at The Laughter Factory May shows?

The line-up features Irish comedian Rory O'Hanlon as headliner, UAE-born rising star Ismail Abdi, and British content creator Nicole Drinkwater making her Laughter Factory debut.

What are the age restrictions for The Laughter Factory shows?

All Laughter Factory shows are strictly for over 21s only. Valid ID will be required for entry to all venues across the tour.

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