Saudi Gazette SHARJAH - The first stand-up comedy show, "Comedia 3al Wagef" at the iconic Al-Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah recently virtually brought the house down with top Arab and international stars regaling the audience late into the night. Hosted by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) as part of its efforts to promote appreciation of art and culture in the Emirate and the greater United Arab Emirates (UAE), Comedia 3al Wagef was the first of its kind entertainment night dedicated to stand-up comedy, which has been immensely popular in the UAE and the wider region on social media. The one-of-its-kind live show for the first time brought together popular names such Ali Al Sayed, pioneer of stand-up comedy in the UAE and Comedian of the Year, Bader Saleh, the YouTube sensation who boasts over 3 million subscribers to his hit show, "Esh Elly," as well as "Al Laila ma Bader Saleh" on MBC, Fahad Al Butairi, known as Saudi Arabia's "Seinfeld" and one of the stars of the Emirati film, "From A to B," Ebrahim Al Khairallah, the finalist of "Arabs Got Talent" and the funnyman known for the popular hand puppet, Temsa7, Kuwait's Ahmad Al Shimmari, another YouTube superstar in his own right and host of his own comedy club in Kuwait, and Egypt's Mohammed Morgan, the star of the Kit Kat Comedy Break. Responding to the positive reactions from a full house, the artists presented some of their best skits and performances, turning their critical spotlight on comic social situations as well as social ills. From critiquing the use of Arabic by young people to funny conflicts and interactions between couples to the challenges and issues facing Arabs, the comedians had their audience laughing throughout the night and asking for more. As the curtain was about to come down, the artists lauded Sharjah, the UAE and Al-Majaz Amphitheatre in particular for hosting the program and offering such a platform to the art of stand-up comedy, boosting the Emirate's continuing support for art and culture, literature and various forms of performing arts. After numerous performances by Arab and international musical legends and stars such as Mohammed Abdu, Marcel Khalife, Yanni, Julio Iglesias, Angham and Assala Nasri and numerous others, this was the first time that Al-Majaz Amphitheatre hosted a show dedicated to stand-up comedy. As part of its efforts to promote a culture of tolerance and dialogue between civilizations, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, the media and communication arm of the Sharjah Government, has been regularly hosting top Arab and international artists and musical icons at Al-Majaz Amphitheatre since its inception in 2012.
