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CLASSICAL MUSICIAN TURNED professional stand-up Rainer Hersch is among the three comics in town for July’s Laughter Factory tour.
Educated in piano and conducting by Britain’s elite, including a stint at the Royal Academy of Music, Rainer then completed a degree in economics.
So naturally, his next step was to start telling jokes for money at various London venues - eventually entering the business of mirth full-time in 1992.
Inspired by childhood heroes Monty Python, Rainer has travelled the world with his comedy and his music, often but not always mixing the two together.
In 2009, he even hosted and conducted Classic Relief - a gala comedy concert at London’s Festival Hall with the Philharmonia Orchestra and guests, which was broadcast by the BBC on both television and radio.
Joining Rainer are two fellow comics who also come from odd backgrounds.
JoJo Smith honed her skills as a journalist while at school, going on to interview bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols for publications from Smash Hits to the NME, eventually becoming a representative for Dexy’ Midnight Runners.
After several other jobs, including work as a bingo caller, JoJo was inspired to try stand-up having interviewed the late, great Bill Hicks.
She has been called “raunchy...and very funny” by the London Evening Standard and “a manic force, leading where male stand-ups fear to tread” by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Capping off the bill is Sean Collins, a formal psychiatric ward worker who got his break in 2000, winning the best male stand-up gong at the Canadian Comedy Awards before heading to the UK.
He has since written and performed three Edinburgh Festival shows, and also appeared on the popular TV series Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.
“Sean Collins has been around the block a few times,” said comedy website Chortle.com.
“But in comedy, that’s an asset, not an insult. It means a life lived, and a wealth of stories to tell. Infectious, evocative and entertaining.”
Thursday, July 5 & Friday, July 6 at Al Thuraya Ballroom, Grand Millennium Tecom
Tuesday, July 10 at Heroes, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
Wednesday, July 11 at Zinc, Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai
Thursday, July 12 at Melrose Ballroom, Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach
Friday, July 13 at Almas Tower, Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Shows start at 9pm each night, with tickets (Dhs140) available at the venues or online from www.timeouttickets.com and www.whatsonboxoffice.com.
For more information, visit www.thelaughterfactory.com or call 04 355 1862.
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