Dubai: Catch Game. Set. Match Before Curtains Close!

Only a few shows remain of this witty, fast-paced play where friendships, secrets, and smartphones collide. Don’t miss the chance to see Dubai’s theatre talent shine on stage this weekend.

Having recently watched the Bollywood version (Khel Khel Mein, 2024) on an OTT platform—and, many moons ago, the original Italian version (Perfect Strangers, 2016)—one approaches yet another adaptation with a degree of curiosity, especially when it comes to live performance. The Italian film has inspired countless adaptations across stage and screen worldwide, and now finds its way to Dubai in a Tall Tales Production in association with Cross Brox Studio, adapted by Sid Abbas. The staging of Game. Set. Match (GSM) adds to the growing repertoire of works brought to local audiences, and it was heartening to see the Playhouse Studio Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, host a full house for the evening show on September 12, 2025. The play runs until September 14, with evening performances at 7:30 pm and a special matinee on September 13. Tickets start at AED 105 via Platinumlist.

The multi-national cast—a hallmark of Tall Tales—was a delight. Familiar names such as director Satya Baskaran, Priyanka Johri, Gabriela Ioana, Meghana Dhawan, and Ryan Durand shared the stage with newer faces (at least for me), including Ziyad Bangara, Jenni Schmidt, Reem Tarifi, and Mahmoud Basyoni. Asad Raza Khan, a long-standing figure in Dubai’s theatre scene, remains steadfast in his commitment to the stage.

The venue itself, in its third avatar (once DUCTAC, later Arts for All, now The New Covent Garden), is always a pleasure to return to. Much remains unchanged, except perhaps the missing Costa that once defined the foyer—but the short, scenic walk from the Mall of the Emirates parking to the separate entrance still carries its magic.

Yes, the plot is familiar—and for many, the twists were already known—but this placed a special responsibility on the actors, who rose to the challenge brilliantly. Each character was owned with energy and precision:

• Amir (Asad Raza Khan) was at his natural best.

• Aairah (Priyanka Johri) complemented him perfectly.

• Yara (Reem Tarifi) owned the role with confidence.

• Jad (Mahmoud Basyoni) nailed the comic timing and facial expressions.

• Stuart (Ryan Durand) brought the right dose of goofiness.

• Lizzie (Jenni Schmidt) was fun and engaging.

• Max (Ziyad Bangara) played suave effortlessly.

• Gretchen (Gabriela Ioana) delivered with frolic.

  
  

The subtle Arabic touches and Dubai-flavored humor were welcome additions—throw in a “yalla” or a “habibi” and the audience lights up, a reminder that adaptations can still feel bespoke to the city we live in.

A few elements of the staging may not have fully landed—the constant switching of lights to indicate settings in the opening minutes, for instance, distracted more than they clarified. The set, generously supported by a home furnishings brand, looked inviting but didn’t fully convey the “luxury tennis club suite” that the script calls for. That said, one must also acknowledge the financial realities of local productions: these are labors of love, often mounted by passionate creators outside of their day jobs, and the effort to bring such stories alive is commendable.

As always, audience etiquette makes a difference. A gentle reminder to silence phones and refrain from conversations mid-show would have elevated the experience for everyone. Ironically, the chatter about which Bollywood actor played which role in the film adaptation only underlined the play’s own message about the omnipresence of our phones and the double-edged sword of constant connectivity. Also, when the plays are of short duration, one can do without an intermission, as sadly, many use it as an excuse not to return!

The only lingering thought is this: while Dubai’s theatre community is brimming with talent, one can only long for the day when more original scripts grace the stage. Ticket sales often lean toward familiar names—be it Shakespeare, Bollywood inspirations, or global adaptations. Yet, productions like GSM keep the momentum alive and remind us of the appetite for live theatre here. Having watched multiple productions across the UAE, one can’t help but wish for that extra wow factor to match the talent on stage. Perhaps it’s a question of resources, exposure, or broader support, but at times, many productions feel reminiscent of their earlier runs. The consistency is admirable, yet as audiences, we find ourselves hoping the directors will push further, take bolder risks, and surprise us with something truly unforgettable.

At its heart, Game. Set. Match is a playful yet piercing mirror to our times—where public lives collide with private ones, and secrets, confessions, and hilariously disastrous messages tumble out when our phones are laid bare. The production may not have had a “wow” factor in terms of scale, but it did in terms of performance. The actors were unquestionably the highlight, and in the end, it is their craft that ensured the audience left both entertained and reflective.

More on the script: What happens when public lives collide with private ones—and secret lives slip into the mix—over a game that’s anything but innocent? Game. Set. Match unfolds in the plush setting of a luxury tennis club suite, where seven longtime friends reunite for a destination wedding. A seemingly playful challenge—placing their phones on the table for all to see—quickly turns into digital Russian roulette. Messages, calls, and secrets spill out, igniting a cocktail of confessions, affairs, and hilariously disastrous texting. The result is a sharp, funny, and unexpectedly poignant reminder of how pings, dings, and unread notifications rule our lives. Whether you’ve been in a relationship, wrestled with a group chat, or sent a message you instantly regretted, this play will feel uncomfortably—and entertainingly—close to home.

Credits Directed by Satya Baskaran | Assistant Director Meghana Dhawan | Adapted by Sid Abbas | Produced by Tall Tales Production & Cross Bronx Studio