Rhany makes comeback in stand-up comedy from Casablanca

CASABLANCA – Moroccan singer and actor Rhany Kabbadj made a comeback in stand-up comedy after a nine-year hiatus, performing his first show on Wednesday in Casablanca.

The “Le Double Je” show in the economic capital of Morocco is the first of his three shows that will see him perform in Rabat and his native city of Marrakech.

Kabbadj blended his theatrical experience and singing skills to re-launch his stand-up comedy career in cooperation with his friend and actor Adnane Mouhejja.

I started theatre when I was a kid with my family. My friends were eager to listen to my jokes rather than the guitar,” Kabbadj told Middle East Online.

The Moroccan comedian did a stand-up comedy “Rhany Bl'vitamine” in 2014. His comeback to the scene was Mouhejja’s idea when they were filming the “Safi Salina” series.

Kabbadj got inspired by his family’s life since his “prenatal birth” in his latest show and translated it into a chronological narration with a lot of sarcasm, dark humour and mixed emotions.

“All what I have lived, I did it with a lot of Marrakechi humour and sadness, derision and simplicity,” he said.

“I try to highlight many transitions as I was born in early 1970s, including my differences with parents, my trips and the technological evolution,” he added.

He chose American superstar Elvis Presley as his main character in his comedy, imitating the way he dances, sings and plays guitar.

“I focused on Elvis because I was interested in his life, spirituality and image. All my emotions were dedicated to Elvis when I was a child,” said Kabbadj.

“For me it was a way of paying tribute to the America idol and of course the American dream that haunted me years,” he added.

Kabbadj’s comedy also touched upon the high cost of living and taboos such as sex, drugs and alcohol.

“What I’m trying to tell in the show are things that I lived and which are laughable due to their real aspect, but with a bit of exaggeration,” he concluded.

Kabbadj is thinking of taking his show to the Moroccan diaspora in Europe following his Moroccan tour that will end in Rabat in January 20, 2024.