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The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

The Conversation: Comics: Hatoon Kadi and Njambi McGrath

Hatoon and Njambi

03/11/2014

Comics: Hatoon Kadi and Njambi McGrath

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Comics: Hatoon Kadi and Njambi McGrath

Funny women - a Saudi satirist talks to a Kenyan stand-up comic

Saudi satirist Hatoon Kadi is watched by millions on the internet and Kenyan comic Njambi McGrath performs her stand-up routines to sell out audiences in the UK.

Kim Chakanetsa hosts a conversation between one of Saudi Arabia's only female comedians and a Kenyan comic who performs her stand-up routine in the UK. Both love to laugh and to make people laugh. 

Hatoon Kadi took up comedy when she got bored of her office job.  At the time she says the internet in Saudi Arabia was booming with comedy shows, but they were all fronted by men, so she decided to fill a gap in the market.  Now Hatoon, and her comedy alter ego 'Noon al-Niswa', have attracted millions of fans across the region with sketches about everyday life for women in the Kingdom.  It's not what you might think.

Njambi McGrath grew up in Kenya.  When she moved to the UK she was shocked at negative depictions of Africa and set herself the mission to try and change perceptions.  Africa does have 'hunger, disease and war', Njambi says, but there is fun, laughter and happiness there too.     

As well as hearing each other's comedy sketches, Hatoon and Njambi talk about overturning western stereotypes of their homelands through humour, the art of developing a thick skin against critics, and how they find their material.

(Picture: Hatoon Kadi (L) and Njambi McGrath)

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