GSM – “Game. Set. Match”: A Theatrical Celebration of Community in the UAE

Game. Set. Match is a comedic, thrilling, and deeply relatable exploration of friendships, secrets, and the messy, wonderful chaos of human connection—all with a uniquely UAE twist.

This September, Dubai audiences are invited to experience Game. Set. Match (GSM), a modern theatrical spectacle that explores what happens when public lives collide with private lives—and secret lives—over a game that’s anything but innocent.

Brought to the stage by Tall Tales Production in association with Cross Brox Studio, Game. Set. Match is set in a luxury tennis club suite, where seven longtime friends reunite for a destination wedding. A seemingly harmless game turns digital Russian roulette as everyone places their phones on the table, giving unrestricted access to messages, calls, and secrets. What unfolds is a cocktail of confessions, affairs, and hilariously disastrous texting, all wrapped in razor-sharp dialogue and gut-punch emotional moments. Whether you’ve been in a relationship, navigated a group chat, or made a message you wished had never been sent, this play promises to hit close to home.

Adapted from the acclaimed Italian film Perfect Strangers, which has inspired multiple stage and screen versions worldwide, this UAE edition introduces a multicultural cast and setting, bringing the nation’s “Year of the Community” to life. “The show is special because it celebrates the diversity of the UAE community,” says actor Asad Raza Khan, who plays Amir. “Audiences can expect laughter, drama, relatability, and a lot of self-reflection about the people around them.” Directed by Satya Baskaran, the production promises one chaotic, unforgettable night of theatre. “This is Die Hard with text messages,” he says. “The story unfolds over a single evening, and chaos is guaranteed. The cast is extraordinary, and this version of the script has never been told like this before.”

Assistant director and creative consultant Meghana Dhawan adds, “It’s an adaptation full of humor and moments of self-reflection, especially given how dependent we all are on our phones. If you’re wondering what that even means, come see for yourself.”

The ensemble cast blends seasoned performers and emerging talent. Priyanka Johri, who plays Aairah, describes the production as “creatively fulfilling… beneath the laughs, the script reveals beautiful layers of human emotion. We weren’t just performing a story—we were building it.” Ziyad Bangara, Ryan Durand, Jenni Schmidt, Reem Tarifi, and Mahmoud Basyoni all speak to the thrill of bringing a multicultural UAE flavor to a globally recognized story.

The show will run from 12th to 14th September 2025 at The Playhouse Studio Theatre, The New Covent Garden, Mall of the Emirates. Evening performances begin at 7:30 pm, with a special matinee on 13th September at 3 pm. Tickets start at AED 105 and are available via Platinumlist.net.

Cast & Crew Highlights:

• Amir – Asad Raza Khan

• Aairah – Priyanka Johri

• Yara – Reem Tarifi

• Jad – Mahmoud Basyoni

• Stuart – Ryan Durand

• Lizzie – Jenni Schmidt

• Max – Ziyad Bangara

• Gretchen – Gabriela Ioana

• Special appearances: Meghana Dhawan, Satya Baskaran

Directed by Satya Baskaran | Assistant Director: Meghana Dhawan | Adapted by Sid Abbas | Produced by Tall Tales Production & Cross Bronx Studio | Artwork: Jay Nagjee | Photo Credit: Nupur Nilesh