Liz Bains (Funny Women Awards 2023 semi-finalist and ‘one to watch’) is set to debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with her show Dubai Dilemma.
Liz moved to Dubai in 2007 to save enough money to buy herself a new kitchen, but 17 years later she is still there. Dubai, it turns out, is a hard place to leave. Her show, Dubai Dilemma, combines hilarious observations on cultural differences with every expat’s anguish about whether they should stay put or go home.
Originally from Maidstone, Kent, Liz now works as a business journalist by day and comedian by night. She is a regular opener for international touring acts in Dubai including Jason Manford, Sean Walsh, Bassem Yousef, Adam Rowe and Schalk Bezuidenhout, and has even performed stand-up comedy in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
What is the main difference between performing comedy in Dubai and the UK?
That is a hard one to answer as I have only done a handful of gigs in the UK. What I can tell you is that in Dubai I am usually the diversity act, representing both women and white people, which has definitely helped shape who I am as a comedian. I specialise in relatable, observational comedy about Dubai whereas if I had started out in the UK I would have probably been more absurd and political. Absurd comedy really doesn’t work in Dubai; you just get a lot of blank looks. I think that is because audiences have had more exposure to American comedy on TV. I am excited to see how my jokes go down in the UK.
How does it feel to be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I am thrilled to be performing a full show at the Fringe. I have attended about six times as audience, doing the odd spot here and there, and I just loved it. To spend every waking hour immersed in comedy is pure joy. I remember being in awe of all the performers at Edinburgh when I first started out as a comedian with terrible stage fright. Now I can’t wait to see how I develop and grow over the next month, and not just from eating too much fish and chips.
Who are the funny women you would recommend seeing in Edinburgh this year?
I always love watching Amy Gledhill, and Catherine Bohart made me cry with laughter last year. I am looking forward to catching Allyson June Smith’s show, and whatever Marjolein Robertson comes up with is always a must see. I have never seen Angela Barnes perform, but since we are both from Maidstone, she definitely is on my list this year.
Liz Baines: Dubai Dilemma, 3-12, 14-19 and 21-25 August at 1.05pm, at PBH’s Free Fringe at Southsider. Book tickets here.
