Sham-e-Comedy: Discovering a Comedy Night at Emaar

Arriving Curious (and Slightly Skeptical)

This Saturday, I decided—almost casually—to attend Sham-e-Comedy at Emaar, curious to see what a comedy night at Emaar might really be like. The venue was close to home, tickets were Rs. 850 each, and it was the weekend, which already made the idea feel sensible. Emaar has been hosting small community events from time to time, and I quietly admire places that try to cultivate culture rather than let weekends drift by unnoticed.

Still, I went in slightly unsure. Comedy can be unpredictable, and I did not quite know what sort of evening awaited me.

That uncertainty did not last long.

How the Evening Unfolded

What followed was an evening full of laughter, relaxed conversation, and that pleasant feeling of discovering something local that works better than expected.

The show had been organised by Anjum, and the performers belonged to a group called C&C Theatre—four men and one woman, each bringing a distinct presence to the stage. The one-and-a-half-hour performance moved smoothly between stand-up comedy, improv, and a few spontaneous segments that kept the audience alert and engaged.

Because the seating was limited, the atmosphere felt informal and welcoming. It was not the stiff mood of a large auditorium, but something closer to a neighbourhood gathering—people leaning forward, responding quickly, laughing easily. Smaller spaces often create the best kind of theatre.

The Performers and Stand-Out Moments

I found myself laughing more than I had expected.

Perhaps I am biased, but Afifa stood out to me as the funniest—sharp, quick, and wonderfully natural—though every performer had their own rhythm and moments that landed well with the crowd.

What intrigued me most, however, was learning that these comedians all have full-time professions. Among them were a teacher, a lawyer, someone working in tech, and a journalist. By day, they inhabit serious, demanding roles; by evening, they become storytellers and observers of human behaviour, playing with language and timing in front of strangers.

There was something quietly admirable in that. It takes a certain courage to step onto a stage after a long day’s work simply because one wants to pursue what one enjoys.

A Simple, Satisfying Saturday

It was my first time attending a C&C Theatre performance, and I suspect it will not be my last. There was nothing extravagant about the evening, and that may have been precisely its charm—just a simple, well-run comedy gathering nearby, full of small, human moments.

Sometimes, that is all one really asks of a weekend.