Maliki Mardonali

Eamon Ogana, a reporter who traveled with the Syrian comedy troupe Styria, joins stand-up comedian Sharief Homsi and co-founder Maliki Mardonali. They explore the thrill and risk of performing comedy in post-Assad Syria, discussing the challenges of testing boundaries in conservative cities like Hama. Sharief shares his journey from a past in prison to comedy. The troupe faces cancellations, government pressure, and public outcry as they strive for artistic freedom, finding laughter amid a fragile new reality.

Eamon Ogana, a field reporter who traveled with the Syrian comedy troupe Styria, joins comedians Sharif Homsi and Maliki Mardonali. They dive into the challenges of performing comedy in post-Assad Syria, where jokes can have serious repercussions. The trio shares stories from their national tour, discussing the fine line between humor and safety, and how they navigate censorship while testing daring material. As they confront local authorities threatening their shows, their journey highlights the struggle for creative freedom in a changing political landscape.