Comedy Night in Damascus targets struggles of daily life in Syria - in pictures

Comedians crack jokes about power cuts and fuel shortages, lightening the mood after 12 years of war

Hussein Al Rawi performs during a comedy night in Damascus that has become a big hit among Syrians wishing to lighten the mood after 12 years of war. All photos by AFP

The night is called 'Styria' - combining the words Syria and hysteria

Mary Obaid performs at the comedy night, which was founded four months ago by a handful of comedy fans

It now has more than 35 members

Hussein al-Rawi performs during a comedy night titled "Styria" which is an Arabic mash-up of Syria and hysteria, in Damascus on April 24, 2023. Every week, members of Syria's first stand-up comedy troupe crack jokes about daily struggles like power cuts and fuel shortages, lightening the mood for despondent Damascenes after 12 years of war. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

Mary Obaid, the only female performer, says: 'In the end, without misery there is no comedy'

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