If your social calendar needs upgrading, consider this your official excuse.
The Laughter Factory is back this April with a heavyweight bill, led by South African comedy superstar Robby Collins.
Expect big laughs, big personality and zero filter.
Joining him is the fresh, fearless, and funny Valentina Danubio, turning everyday chaos into comedy gold. From motherhood and post-baby body battles to the quirks of Dubai life and job hunting, she mines her real-world experiences with razor-sharp wit—and a side of music.
Also making his Laughter Factory debut will be Northern English funnyman John Hague, bringing grounded, relatable chaos and high-energy punchlines that hit close to home.
Rounding out the bill is poet and storyteller Viswajit Dilip, weaving humor into his words to create engaging narratives.
As always, The Laughter Factory delivers more than just stand-up. Stick around after the final encore for the club’s signature after-party vibe, where comics and crowd mingle and the laughs continue long after the curtain call.
With six shows across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this is your chance to catch world-class, international comedy in an intimate setting.
When & Where
Meet the comics
Robby Collins
Considered one of the most prominent faces of the new generation of South African comedy, Robby Collins’ rise from actor on the Durban theatre circuit to fully fledged stand-up comic has career achievements that belie his years on the comedy circuit. A comedian whose material draws on real life, is at ease on the stage, and has a convincing stage presence, endearing himself to an audience with his gawky giraffe-like frame. Robby has played to the biggest comedy audiences in South Africa with appearances including ‘The Heavy Weight Comedy Jam’, ‘Blacks Only’, ‘Kings’, ‘Queens of Comedy’ and ‘Comedy Central Live at Parkers’.
Further proof of his talent lies in his personal selection by the world’s top comics as their opening act – Dave Chappelle, Trevor Noah, and Marc Lottering. His tour with Trevor Noah was extensive and constituted over 50 shows all over Southern Africa. He formed a prominent part of The Nationwide comedy show that was the biggest-selling comedy ensemble DVD in South African history. In 2013, he debuted his very own one-man show ‘That Bushman is Crazy’. His debut show earned a much-coveted ‘Ovation’ award at The National Arts Festival. And in 2015, Robby hosted a show at Africa’s biggest comedy festival, The Comedy Central International Comedy Festival.
Acting credits:
2010 – Scandal, eTV (1 season) – As himself
2011 – Laugh Out Loud, Mzansi Magic (2 seasons) – As himself
2012/2015 – LNN, eTV (Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola) – Multiple characters
2014/2015 – Rhythm City, eTV (2 seasons) – Rocky
2016 – Rockville, Mzansi Magic (Continuing role) – Coco
2016/2017 – The Bantu Hour, SABC 1 (Continuing role) – Multiple Characters
2020 – Celebrity Game Night
2023 – Amazon Prime, Last One Laughing
Advertising roles
2012 – Yellowpages National TV campaign
2013 – Africawide DSTV TV/online campaign
2014 – Lays TV/onIine campaign
2016 – Energizer online campaign
2016 – South African Tourism ‘come home bru campaign’
2017 – Nedbank online campaign ‘The M Word’
2018 – Wimpy 2020 – Netflix
Writing credits
2011 – Laugh Out Loud
2013 – Ekasi Stories 2016/2017 – The Bantu Hour
2012/2015 – Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola
Awards
2023 – Comics Choice Awards, Comedian of the Year
2024 – Comics Choice Awards, Headliner of the Year
2025 – Comics Choice Awards, Headliner of the Year, Best Solo Show
A 2023 comedy rookie turned Flamingo Live Survival of the Funniest winner, Valentina delivers relatable, high-energy sets with her signature Italian flair that keep audiences laughing long after the spotlight fades.
With performances across the UK and UAE, their comedy resonates with audiences everywhere, blending grounded humor with unexpected twists that keep the laughs rolling. Whether sharing tales of everyday mishaps or shining a light on the hilarity in the mundane, John delivers a show that’s as heartfelt as it is hilarious.
A multi-time winner of Time Out Dubai’s “Best Comedy Night”, The Laughter Factory remains the region’s most trusted name in stand-up.
