ABU DHABI’S FAVOURITE COMEDIAN RETURNS TO THE STAGE

WORDS: MILES BUCKERIDGE

In 2022, actor, comedian, author, podcaster, entrepreneur and the scissors to Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Rock’, Kevin Hart, added another professional title to his already farcically long CV, when he was appointed as ‘Chief Island Officer’ for Yas Island Abu Dhabi.

Hart was essentially an ambassador for the island, appearing in videos living his very best life across Yas’ collection of leisure attractions. So it’s fitting then, that his next Middle East comedy show will be right in the ‘hart’ of his ambassadorial feifdom, Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Live Nation is in charge of bringing the icon-tier stand-up back to the island, for the only Gulf date of his Reality Check tour. The gig will go down on Wednesday February 22 and tickets are on sale from Dhs499.

You’re probably familiar with his comic roles in Hollywood, movies such as Scary Movie 3, the 2017 Jumanji reboot franchise, Ride Along, Get Hard, as well as providing voice support in animated films such as DC League of Super-Pets, The Secret Life of Pets and Captain Underpants, or any one of the number of team-ups with The Rock.

You may recognise his contortive features and hilarious raconteur monologuing from his stratospheric stand-up career, Netflix specials and comedy albums, or from taunting pal Dwayne Johnson with TikTok skits, Rock-inspired fancy dress, and eyebrow-raising impressions.

He’s a regular on podcasts and comedy shows, he’s anchored awards ceremonies, provided MC support for global events, he’s modeled for

Macy’s, launched a vegetarian restaurant (Hart House) and fronted charity drives. But regardless of where you know Kevin Hart from, it is practically impossible to see him as anything other than one of the comedic genre’s most precious international treasures. The Kevin Hart gig will be the last of an epic A-list comedian trilogy at Etihad Arena in Q1 of 2023, with two British acts, Jimmy Carr and Kevin Bridges having already warmed the boards in January.