That’s right, a comedy night in English is coming up this week to entertain Nicosia audiences. Although the local comedy scene is growing, comedy shows in English are a rare phenomenon. This week, however, not one but two performances will enrich Nicosia’s nightlife scene.

Katerina Vrana, one of Greece’s top stand-up comedians, is bringing her smash-hit show Staying Alive (I Nearly Died, You Know) to Cyprus. This Friday and Saturday, audiences are invited to gather at Pantheon Theatre to catch Vrana’s hilarious storytelling, witty sarcasm and her not-so-comic tale of nearly dying, which she manages to deliver with humour and sensitivity.

“The most entertaining and uplifting story of nearly dying you’ve ever heard,” say organisers. Her show has been a sold-out show in Greece since it opened in 2019 while its English show sold out in 14 cities during its 2023 European tour. Now it is time for Cyprus English-speaking audiences to get an up-close taste of Vrana’s comic genius.

Before 2017, the comedian had been performing stand-up in both Greek and English across the globe including sold-out shows in London, the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals. CNN even included her in its list of Female Comedians To Watch and in 2016 she came third in the Laugh Factory’s international competition Funniest Person in the World.

While on tour in Malaysia in 2017 she suffered an illness which almost cost her her life. With several multiple physical impairments, Katerina now moves around in her wheelchair and does not shy away from making jokes about her illness and life as a person with a disability. In 2019, she returned to the stage with this show that’s about to shake up Nicosia in a few days.

Staying Alive (I Nearly Died, You Know)

Stand-up comedy show by Katerina Vrana. October 25-26. Pantheon Theatre, Nicosia. 8.30pm. In English. www.soldoutticketbox.com