The Coca-Cola Arena is officially open, and comedian Russell Peters was the first man to take to the stage. Known for his honest and raw comedy, the Canadian star made sure his style was very much in the faces (and bellies) of the crowd, leaving few topics off-limits. Wearing a striking pink suit, the comic detailed his weight-loss journey, his life as a parent (now the proud father of two), his desire to learn more about his Indian roots and the inner-workings of a comedian’s mind - something many of us might never understand. But, after the show's revelations, that might not be such a bad thing. Peters was last in Dubai some four years ago, so news of his return delighted fans of the funnyman. And it seemed he was equally as elated to come back. On stage, the 49-year-old spoke of his amazement at how much the city had changed since his last visit. Peters worked his previous visit into his set, recalling a visit to Dubai’s shopping district, Karama, complete with its persistent sales associates and their “better than real” deals. While many concert or gig-goers might, ordinarily, fight to get a spot near the stage, when it comes to comedy, close proximity is not always best. Peters is one of those comedians who loves to engage with his fans. He uses his brilliant ability to read a crowd and an audience member, and translates that into hilarious comedy gold on the spot. At this inaugural gig at the <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/on-stage/a-first-look-inside-dubai-s-coca-cola-arena-more-on-the-acts-the-food-and-future-plans-1.849571">Coca-Cola Arena</a>, Peters took the opportunity to chat with people from all walks of life and nationalities. From different accents to playful fun about many relatable topics, Russell Peters really is able to charm a crowd, even if the content is a little hair-raising at times. Peters is a strong storyteller; a funny and observant man, who at times will make you cringe, but will always make you laugh out loud. His <em>Deported </em>tour will see him visiting other parts of the world, but there's no doubt he'll always make time to come back to the UAE. And when he does, make sure you get your tickets to see him. Just don't sit up front if you would prefer not to be the topic of conversation like dear Lancelot and his wife.
