Sonja Allen founded Dubai-based live comedy and events company Big Fish Entertainments in 2018. The second youngest of nine children, including seven older brothers, she was a professional dancer in the UK, Japan and on cruise ships until an ankle injury forced a career change into publishing. A family tragedy then led her to become a professional comedian in 1998. Five years ago, Ms Allen, 49, moved to Dubai when her husband David landed an air-traffic controller role. They live in Arabian Ranches with their two sons, aged 9 and 10.
How did your upbringing shape your attitude towards money?
We lived in a four bedroom council house, 11 of us. Dad was in the merchant navy. It was tough with a lot of mouths to feed. We didn’t have a lot of money. I remember going to school once and mum had cut the toes out of my shoes because they couldn’t afford another pair.
Mum and dad went into the pub trade when I was about 13 and the older ones had fled the nest. Fortunes improved and my younger brother and I benefited, but mum and dad instilled the value of money. We were never given pocket money – we had to earn it. When I got my first car, dad made me save and he paid for insurance. He never told me he was going to do that – he wanted to see if I would save.
Everyone says I'll never be a millionaire because I'm too generous.
How much were you paid in your first job?
Every day, we used to do the ‘bottling up’, getting empty bottles into the crates and then filling the [pub] shelves. We were paid £5 (Dh23) a week.
My first adult job was as a holiday camp dancer in Blackpool in the late ‘80s. I was 16, doing shows and calling bingo, for £56 a week. I went from there to Japan as a dancer and used to send money home every month, that’s where I started thinking ‘I like this saving lark’. If I didn’t have it there, I wouldn’t spend it.
How did you become a professional comedian?
My brother Michael was a comedian, just breaking into the big time, being looked at to host TV shows and I used to do writing for him. Then in 1995 he died of a massive heart attack, only 34 years old. It was devastating. I left my job, sold the house, bought a PA system and went out and did showcases – I knew two gags and three songs.
Was it tough to make a living?
It takes a while to get going. I was terrible at first; I’d do a gig and after 20 minutes they’d go ‘you’re no good, there’s your money, go home’ … any comedian will have stories like that. That taught me to never stop listening or learning and ‘don’t chase the stardom, chase the work’. As long as you’re working on a regular basis, you’re a good comic. I was working six/seven nights a week, earning a very good living.
When I could regularly pay my bills was a huge milestone. I would hate to go back to worrying how I’m going to pay for something, where you can’t sleep because you don’t know where your next gig’s coming from.
How did Big Fish Entertainments happen?
I went with friends to watch a Dubai comedy show. They set me up, got me up out of the audience without warning. I hadn’t been on stage for four years, but did about 20 minutes and started getting my mojo back.
Big Fish was born in November 2018. It’s tough to start anything, whatever the business. You’ve got your flights [to buy for visiting acts], permits, accommodation, marketing, fees, staging, lighting. There’s risk. Last year we lost on a few shows but we expected to in our first year because that’s when you learn. It’s about building a reputation.
Has the pandemic affected you?
Massively. We were off and running in January, then could hear what was happening with Covid-19. We were proactive and chose early on to postpone [shows] – we could see where it was going. Everything from September onwards is staying in place for now.
We’d started building momentum, followers, regular ticket purchasers and needed to stay connected to our audience, so we created on our Facebook and Instagram page exclusive recordings from comedians that go out every Saturday, free of charge. We’ve built a cushion into our plan – it’s not huge, but it will keep the ball rolling.
At home, because we’re not going out we’re not spending, although the shopping spend and AC bill has gone through the roof.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I’m a spender and a saver. Everyone says I’ll never be a millionaire because I’m too generous. But I do save. It’s in the back of my mind, ‘you never know when you’re going to need it’. It’s not a huge amount, but it’s coming in handy now and does set in motion a mindset to continue to save even when we come out of this pandemic, if not more so, because you never know what’s around the corner.
From a professional point of view I don’t scrimp – I want shows to look and sound good, but will always look for the cheapest flight, try to cut down on fees. There’s a balancing act to be done. If I don’t have to spend it, I won’t.
Where do you save?
Savings accounts and we’ve got UK pensions. I don’t think I’d put money into a high interest account I can’t touch for five years at the moment and I’m glad we didn’t go locking away our money. We also put money into bricks and mortar. We have property in the UK, our four-bedroom family home that we rent out.
What is your most cherished purchase?
The Peavey mixer amp I first bought [to do shows] 22 years ago. Half the knobs are missing, but I didn’t want to get rid of it. It was a lot of money then, about £1,200.
A Renault Laguna was my worst purchase, in 1998, for £8,500. It cost me more to keep it going than to buy. I was going to do three UK shows one weekend and the cam belt snapped. It cost £3,500 to get it back on the road and I lost the gig fee.
What are you happiest spending on?
Family time. Before all this happened, every three months we’d do a little staycation, just go and stay in a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Ras al Khaimah. We have a proper little holiday when we’re there.
If I’ve learnt anything from the experience with my brother it's that life’s for living. As long as I can pay the school fees, go on a decent holiday and we’re comfortable, that’s good.
Do you plan for the future?
Hopefully, we’re here for the next 15-20 years, at least until the boys have done their schooling. Our plan is to purchase more property, ideally one overseas. In terms of retirement, we want to go between a property in the UK and somewhere else in winter. And as long as I’m still enjoying comedy, I will continue to do it.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
FIXTURES
Saturday, November 3
Japan v New Zealand
Wales v Scotland
England v South Africa
Ireland v Italy
Saturday, November 10
Italy v Georgia
Scotland v Fiji
England v New Zealand
Wales v Australia
Ireland v Argentina
France v South Africa
Saturday, November 17
Italy v Australia
Wales v Tonga
England v Japan
Scotland v South Africa
Ireland v New Zealand
Saturday, November 24
|Italy v New Zealand
Scotland v Argentina
England v Australia
Wales v South Africa
Ireland v United States
France v Fiji
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E640hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%20from%202%2C300-4%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E11.9L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh749%2C800%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Moving%20Out%202
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Manchester United v Liverpool
Premier League, kick off 7.30pm (UAE)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Frida%20
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
