RebellComedy – SHOW YOUR TEETH

The troupe now goes on tour up to twice a year, bringing plenty of humour, everyday life and diverse perspectives to the stage.

About RebellComedy

The RebellComedy group traces its origins back to the dissertation on comedy written by founder Usama Elyas, alias Ususmango. The dissertation, entitled ‘Fladenbrot’, served as the basis for the project that Ususmango subsequently launched in 2005 together with Babak Ghassim, alias Ghodebarak. The university’s examination board predicted at the time that Ususmango’s venture had little chance of success. Nevertheless, the friends went ahead with their plan: in 2007, RebellComedy performed their first show in Aachen – and quickly established themselves as a popular comedy act.

RebellComedy with a colourful stage programme – for everyone

RebellComedy consists of a diverse ensemble. The troupe’s rotating line-up of comedians is united not only by a love of comedy, but also by their respective migrant backgrounds. The artists’ cultural roots are also a topic during RebellComedy’s shows, though they are not intended to be a central part of the programme. “We simply wanted to do comedy that we ourselves can laugh at,” says Ghodebarak about the collective’s programme.

However, the artists do not wish to perpetuate clichés about migrants in their shows. Instead, the members of RebellComedy prefer to combine elements of comedy with music and poetry, and regularly demonstrate in their programmes that they are masters of parodic observations of everyday life.

The group’s style is modelled on American comedy. As they themselves say, this means they can be completely themselves on stage, unlike in German mainstream comedy. This makes it easier for them to connect with young people and those from migrant backgrounds.

RebellComedy – Successful on TV too

You can get a sense of what to expect when buying a ticket for a RebellComedy show from their short television appearances, amongst other things. Between 2014 and 2017, WDR broadcast thirty-minute compilations of the group’s performances. Around 25 episodes were produced during this period. In addition, the group can also be seen in clips on the YouTube video platform.

The successful comedy duo has now even made it onto Netflix: the comedy special “Raus aus’m Zoo” has been available on the streaming service since March 2021. The programme features performances by the comedians Khalid Bounouar, Salim Samatou, Alain Frei, Hany Siam, Ususmango, Benaissa Lamroubal and Babak Ghassim.

RebellComedy has been bringing humour to the stage for over 15 years

Today, RebellComedy is one of Germany’s most popular comedy troupes and regularly enjoys sold-out shows. Most of the performers grew up bilingual. RebellComedy comprises comedians with Turkish, Moroccan, Iranian, Saudi Arabian and Swiss roots. RebellComedy currently consists of the following members:

• Ususmango (Usama Elyas)
• Babak Ghassim (Ghodebarak)
• DJ Wati (Kaveh Ghanawatian)
• Benaissa Lamroubal
• Khalid Bounouar
• Hany Siam
• Salim Samatou
• Alain Frei

Former members of the troupe include such well-known acts as Enissa Amani, Özcan Coşar, Choukri Gustmann and Puyan Yavari, better known by his stage name PU. As well as the permanent members, guest comedians are also regularly invited to perform at RebellComedy’s shows.