Buy local is a popular phrase. Comedian Nadanja Bailey is now encouraging people to “laugh local”, too.

He is hosting Bermuda Roar and has invited the Island's best comics to join him on the stage for the first all-local show.

Come out on Friday and laugh along with Nadanja, Gina Love, Jonathan Young, Bootsie, Gene Steede, Gavin Carter, Jah and Eddie G.

Q: What prompted you to host this comedy show?

A: It dawned on me that there has never been an all-local comedy show — ever.

I have never been on the same stage as the Island's veteran comics Gene Steede and Bootsie before, so it just seemed fitting to make it happen. When I called everyone, they were all free and everything just started to fall into place.

Q: How did you choose which comedians would take part? What do you think each of them has to offer the crowd?

A: I chose the comics who are working or have been working over the past two years. Everyone has the potential to be funny but not everyone has the courage to go on stage. These guys have that and they are all hilarious.

No one has the same style, so everyone brings their own personal touch to the stage. That's what will make this show fantastic.

Q: Why do you hope locals will support this show?

A: Because Bermuda is starving for a laugh and something to do. There are not enough options out there for a couple to have a date night out or even a ladies' night out.

These days a boys' night normally consists of drinking, unless all the guys are single, then they come to the show looking for the single ladies. Lol.

Q: How do you think local comedians compare with some of the talent overseas?

A: Overseas comics have a better edge because they are performing all the time if they are good. New York has comedy clubs all over, but what some people don't realise is that the average comic keeps the same routine for a year or two.

He/she has no reason to get new material because it's a different crowd all the time. If us local comedians had different people coming out to our shows we would be able to be on the same stage and tell the same jokes. Instead we have to create new material all the time.

Now is the time to support our local comics so we can keep at what we love to do. Whenever there is a comedy show in Bermuda, the overseas comic's name is blasted all over the radio. Then they will say, “it's hosted by Nadanja”, all quiet and not as hyped up. That's a diss to us as local comics. You need us on your show, but our name can't be blasted on the same level as the overseas comics?

I proved that Bermudian comics had talent in 2006 when I won a comedy competition in Orlando, Florida. I showed that we can compete and be on the same level as international performers. Bermuda's talent is the best, no matter if you're a singer, dancer, or comedian — we could give anyone a run for their money if we just had the support.

Q: You are also to take the stage. What can people expect from your performance this time around?

A: I am working on some new material for the show. I'm laughing already just thinking about it, but then again that's because I think I'm funny. I don't need anyone's approval. Lol.

But seriously, I'm coming out to kill it. That's my plan for every performance. If people are paying money, I am going to rehearse it until I get it right because, at the end of the day, it's my reputation, so I'm going to leave it on the stage. We need to have the confidence in ourselves to know we can do it. If we don't have that, how can we expect others to support us?

• Bermuda Roar tickets cost $40 and are on sale at bdatix.bm, 27th Century Boutique, Kit n' Caboodle and Rotisserie Grill. Friday's event kicks off in the lobby of City Hall at 7pm; show starts 8.30pm.