Stand-up comedy club The Laughter Factory are back in the capital this month with Hollywood actor and comedian Angelo Tsarouchas, English stand-up Mark Maier and Welsh comedian Matt Rees on the bill. Ahead of his show, What’s On spoke to Rees, who claims being too odd led him into a life of live comedy…

What’s your favourite one-liner?
“Saying ‘I’m sorry’ and saying ‘I apologise’ mean the same thing. Unless you’re at a funeral.” – Demetri Martin, and, “I’ve spent the past two years looking for my ex-girlfriend’s killer, but no one will do it.” – Anthony Jeselnik.

Someone in the audience heckles you. What do you do?
Write down their name and send it to my Uncle Cleaver.

How would you describe the UAE?
The only time I’ve been here was in the middle of August. So in my experience it’s like being suffocated by a hot towel.

Is there anything you want to see while you’re here?
I didn’t get to do the water parks last time because it was too hot. And [I want to see] how many duty free cigarettes I can get for my Dad. He doesn’t smoke but he’s just retired and needs a hobby.

Why did you decide to go into stand-up comedy?
The naivety of youth. And I’m too odd to just be a normal person – without comedy this set-up doesn’t really work.

What comedian do you most look up to and why?
I admire comedians who use their weaknesses and vulnerabilities in their work. People like Louis
CK, Zach Galifianakis, Doug Stanhope, Norm MacDonald, John Mulaney and the comedy writer
Dan Harmon.

How would you describe your sense of humour?
It looks clever even though it isn’t.

Catch Matt Ress in action on March 15 at Park Rotana, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, 8pm, Dhs140. Tel: (050) 8786728. Taxi: Park Rotana. thelaughterfactory.com