NidalM Photography / Blog / Life in the Middle East / Rehman & Friends in Dhahran

Rehman & Friends in Dhahran

Posted by NidalM on Sep 28th, 2009 | 25 comments

Many of you know that this October, Rehman Akhtar, our local celebrity comedian will be hosting another Comedy Show in Aramco. The show, taking place in the Dhahran Theater, features some of the top comedy talent in Saudi Arabia. The first time the show took place, it was the first of its kind on the East Coast of Saudi Arabia, and with the showcase of talent they currently have, you really shouldn’t be missing this one either. The Rehman Akhtar show was also the first comedy show I had the opportunity to shoot (way back in February), and also the first time I was noticed by Rehman, who recommended me as photographer for the many comedy events that would take place over the coming year, including the LOL Comedy Tour, The Jeff Mirza April Fools Show and Egypt’s Comedy Rumble. And I’m glad to say that I will, again, be covering the second Rehman & Friends show as well.

If you’re thinking of reasons to come down:

These are some of the funniest people in Saudi Arabia. With over a year of comedy experience now, these guys just keep getting funnier and funnier. This is THE event for comedy with a Saudi twist!
Non-profit. Aramco shows are non-profit so they’re not priced in the hundreds like many of the celebrity featuring shows throughout the year. Last I heard, ticket prices were in the range of SR50.
Ar you an Aramcon? Do you hate your boss? Well, this is the one place where people can make fun of upper management… and get away with it! And yes, it happened in the last show.
It’s right next door. Being a smaller town, AlKhobar doesn’t see many of these large events. You miss this, you wait another half year.
Lets be honest people… This is Saudi Arabia. What else could you possibly be doing here on a Wednesday/Thursday night?
Worried about the religious police? It takes a brave mutawwa to walk into Aramco. Stop worrying
I will take you’re picture. For free. That’s right, you get a free facebook profile pic! What more reason do you need?

Tickets are going fast, last I heard half from both days have already been sold; so I’d recommend you contact the organizers as soon as possible to reserve a place. If you love in AlKhobar/Dhahran send me an email and I can get you tickets as well! Just let me know what day you’d like to be coming in for!

And of course, here’s pictures from last time round! I was in the audience, and didn’t really walk around to get some of the better shots; hopefully better ones coming in a month!

Expand Pictures
Smaller Pictures

I had just moved back from the United States a couple of weeks before... and I see people lining up for a comedy show. Hundreds of people! Saudi's changed..!

1 I had just moved back from the United States a couple of weeks before... and I see people lining up for a comedy show. Hundreds of people! Saudi

2 The Aramco theater. Capacity ~400. Filled to the brim. I remember coming here to watch the odd movie when I was much younger. There were never this many people.

Rehman's entrance always gets the crowd going! One word: 'Bhangra'. I wish I had half the skills this man had! (My feeble attempts result in laughter)

3 Rehman

4 Omar Hussein. Always the ladies man, and pretty sharply dressed that night too.

Haris Ikram. This was his second show and he would go on to several others. He's from Dhahran, but sadly he won't be at next month's show having left to Chicago (mmm... Devon Street) for studies.

5 Haris Ikram. This was his second show and he would go on to several others. He

Fahad AlButairi is one of the most well known comedians in the Eastern province, and with the most professional experience, having performed shows all over the gulf. Oh, he's also an Aramcon and if I remember correctly, made a few jokes at the company president's expense. Ahem ahem.. another reason to come....

6 Fahad AlButairi is one of the most well known comedians in the Eastern province, and with the most professional experience, having performed shows all over the gulf. Oh, he

Firas AlOla... this guy had the craziest antics on stage I've ever seen. And I've been following the comedy business in the Middle East for a year. Trust me when I say its crazy!

7 Firas AlOla... this guy had the craziest antics on stage I

8 Fahad Fatani. Part Saudi, part Thai, and part insane. He nearly stabbed himself with the mic stand. And I think it was for the comic relief.

Sherif Azab. Another man from the Eastern Province. I've been through school and college with this guy. He's performed in front of crowds of thousands. Though sadly, wont be performing on the 28th. You'll still see him walking around though. Say hi to him. And me too! I'll be the creepy guy taking your picture.

9 Sherif Azab. Another man from the Eastern Province. I

10 Khalid Khalifa! He calls himself.... the MERITO man. Also, he dances surprisingly well... I think I need to take lessons...

11 And that was the end of the show! Standing ovation.. much clapping... wai- Haris, what the hell is that!?

After the show, you get to meet with you're favorite comedians. And your favorite creepy photographer will take your picture.

12 After the show, you get to meet with you

AAND a side plug. DVDs of the first show are now on sale! You can probably buy them at the show in October, but if you can't wait that long, head over to Cafea Arabica on Dhahran Street in AlKhobar to pick up a copy. Or you know, call Rehman!

13 AND a side plug. DVDs of the first show are now on sale! You can probably buy them at the show in October, but if you can

Thats all folks. See you on the 28th!

Tags: comedy, rehman akhtar, saudi arabia, sherif azab

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http://precognitive.wordpress.com/ Qusay

Are they funny like Russel Peters? or more of a DefComedy Jam? I've seen a couple of them on youtube…
Chiara

This looks like a great deal of fun, and an offer no one could refuse! Well, maybe except those of us with a 7hr time difference, a 1400USD air fare and Hallowe'en plans, but everyone else should definitely be there!!!
Chiara

Russell Peters? Fine connoisseurs of Desi-Canuck comedy prefer Shaun Majunder. 1/2 Indian (father) and 1/2 Newfie (mother) and can do both accents impeccably. Also good at teaching white audiences the “head bobble” and the “pinkie scoop”! LOL
http://precognitive.wordpress.com/ Qusay

Are they funny like Russel Peters? or more of a DefComedy Jam? I've seen a couple of them on youtube…
Chiara

This looks like a great deal of fun, and an offer no one could refuse! Well, maybe except those of us with a 7hr time difference, a 1400USD air fare and Hallowe'en plans, but everyone else should definitely be there!!!
Chiara

Russell Peters? Fine connoisseurs of Desi-Canuck comedy prefer Shaun Majunder. 1/2 Indian (father) and 1/2 Newfie (mother) and can do both accents impeccably. Also good at teaching white audiences the “head bobble” and the “pinkie scoop”! LOL
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Haha, well if I remember correctly, Rehman and Fahad AlButairi have opened for Russel in Bahrain. So its definitely more of a stand-up show like. Think Axis of Evil

Speaking of which, there will be a bunch of international comedians coming down in November and performing in Jeddah+Riyadh. It's not officially announced yet, but I'll definitely be making a post on it when details come out!
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Stick with you're Halloween plans! My last halloween was in a university town… so ahem.. interesting to say the least
http://www.samahertariq.com/ samaher

i met omar once and hated him :S , he awfully disrespect my iPhone :'(.

love all your pix
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

aww, you should know, the iPhone/Blackberry debate is a running joke among the comedians here so don't take it too hard!

He's generally one of the nicest people I know!
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Haha, well if I remember correctly, Rehman and Fahad AlButairi have opened for Russel in Bahrain. So its definitely more of a stand-up show like. Think Axis of Evil

Speaking of which, there will be a bunch of international comedians coming down in November and performing in Jeddah+Riyadh. It's not officially announced yet, but I'll definitely be making a post on it when details come out!
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Stick with you're Halloween plans! My last halloween was in a university town… so ahem.. interesting to say the least
http://www.samahertariq.com/ samaher

i met omar once and hated him :S , he awfully disrespect my iPhone :'(.

love all your pix
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

aww, you should know, the iPhone/Blackberry debate is a running joke among the comedians here so don't take it too hard!

He's generally one of the nicest people I know!
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Haha, well if I remember correctly, Rehman and Fahad AlButairi have opened for Russel in Bahrain. So its definitely more of a stand-up show like. Think Axis of Evil

Speaking of which, there will be a bunch of international comedians coming down in November and performing in Jeddah+Riyadh. It's not officially announced yet, but I'll definitely be making a post on it when details come out!
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Stick with you're Halloween plans! My last halloween was in a university town… so ahem.. interesting to say the least
http://www.samahertariq.com/ samaher

i met omar once and hated him :S , he awfully disrespect my iPhone :'(.

love all your pix
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

aww, you should know, the iPhone/Blackberry debate is a running joke among the comedians here so don't take it too hard!

He's generally one of the nicest people I know!
http://www.facebook.com/omarhuss Omar Hussein

laish samahir I don't recall dissing your iphone

I'm an iphone user and totally anti-BB
BT in SA

Will the show be in English or Arabic?
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

It will be in English, as are most comedy shows that take place in Saudi
http://www.thespills.wordpress.com/ qa

If someone's willing to send me 2000 dollars I'd be more than willing to head there
http://www.thespills.wordpress.com/ qa

If someone's willing to send me 2000 dollars I'd be more than willing to head there
mediajunkie

i know this sounds rather dumb – but are there women outside in public wearing half sleeves and *gasp* showing hair?????

on the other hand, the show sounds awesome!
http://nidalm.com/blog/so-where-were-we/ So Where Were We? | NidalM Photography

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