We spent an afternoon with a fully-clad man, a swimming trunks-clad man & many cardboard boxes.
Cardboard Stories: What can we say if you missed the show in July 2024? We're sorry! Dubai, UAE, met up with a fully-clad man and a swimming trunks-clad man on a stage dotted with cardboard boxes, scrolls, and more and laughed unabashedly.
Because this theatrical production is fantastical and uncanny (in the good ol' silly, happy way), we were also tempted to share our experience uncannily. We love making lists, so we made a few after watching the show. Also, listicles work when convincing many readers to read, so here we are.
List No.1. The roll call.
Pierre Guillois & Olivier Martin-Salvan: creative minds behind the production.
Presented by Complices Theâtre, Outside The Box Events, Theatre by QE2 & Alex Broun
Actors: Sadiq Saboowala & Patrick Albrecht
Director: Matthew T Corbett
Prop Master: Lina Younes
Production Manager: Kehkashan Anand
Prop Master Assistant: Ketki Bhosale and Kehkashan Anand
Stage Hands: Manasi Goyal, Saif Hiyasat and Uttaraa Siingh
List No. 2. Our experience in #numbers.
On a hot, humid afternoon on July 6, 2024, we went to watch the play The Ice Hole—A Cardboard Comedy, Theatre by QE2, Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai, UAE. Described as a "cardboard comedy," the play revolves around a man in a three-piece suit fishing in the plains of the Great North when an accidental encounter with a mermaid changes his destiny. He embarks on an enigmatic and crazy journey narrated—with cardboard!
Numbers we knew before we went for the show.
Number of sold-out shows: FOUR in Dubai in May 2024
2022: The 2022 Moliere Award
2023: Hit at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, where it received glowing 5-star reviews
Numbers we cared for after we saw the show.
Minutes: 75 minutes duration (no intermission)
The number of sold-out shows: FOUR in Dubai in May 2024 (we repeat, this is a big one for us, for this is Dubai, where theatre is still a growing industry, and sadly, the awareness and appreciation for this art form is proving to be a slow, long process; kudos to the sold-out shows!)
Number of shows as they returned: TWO (July 5 and July 6; can only hope for a re-return)
Number of HANDMADE cardboard props used: 400 +
We don't want to know the number of steps Patrick covers in each show. We barely manage to do 10,000 a day. His will put the fitness app to shame.
The number of times we looked at our phones (during the show) was ZERO (rare, in 2024, look around!).
Number of pieces in Sadiq's clothing: Three (a suit!)
Number of pieces in Patrick's clothing: Two (pair of swimming trunks and a swimming cap)
Number of characters Patrick plays: We lost count
Number of laughs promised, rippled, recorded: We lost count
List No. 3. What we advise.
Saturdays can be spent watching theatrical shows over brunches.
Saturdays can be spent watching theatrical shows over brunches.
… on loop (repeat until we convince you)
List No.4 What intrigued and amused us at the show?
The restless audience will be amused by Patrick's appearance to keep changing the sign, denoting the number of minutes left for the show to begin. We'd go back to watch this 'act' too simply.
Can you even have a script without a language? Yes. Here's one. It's a non-verbal script, which can be called a play in a universal language for ease. So, not just music but even theatre can transcend language barriers. Also, ICELANDIC is a language, but their version sounds better!
The combination of gibberish meets language as we know it, showcased via words scribbled on the cardboard props, perfectly reflects the current times.
Your kids will learn to say Please, Sorry, and more (even show the finger, ouch, no) as part of the show. All in favor of the value education class, just as they will practice their reading as the show progresses. Yes, they know the F word, but let's not garb it in the wrapping called fun; they can grow up and discover it later.
Seagull, whale, sheep, dog… who does what and how. Let Patrick teach the kids. Hail, snow, splat. Once again, let them learn via the show. And yes, you revise alongside.
You will constantly interact with the actors and participate in the dialogue, reading aloud the words that appear on cardboard props.
The attention to detail will make the OCD in you jump off the seat. The 'Made in China' on the life vest, the Card Machine, the bagpipes and kilt, et al. Cardboard artistry gets a new meaning here.
Sadiq can sing, dance, act, and flirt (with the audience!), all while sitting in one spot. And you don't want to miss him seeing all the above and more.
How do you depict distance, echo, etc., on a stage? Learn it from them.
There is a goat that poops on the stage, don't ask us why, but we're still giggling.
The cutest love story ever can occur in the most unexpected places.
And more. We can't reveal it all. Just buy the ticket when the show returns.
List No. 5. Reasons you should watch this show or any theatrical show
Theatre is a live performing act, and while you have a Netflix, Amazon, OSN, etc., subscription, it can never come close to this experience of no takes or re-runs!
Visiting art galleries seems intimidating to a few of us, who think we must understand the strokes, period, etc. Theatre demands nothing of you. Just put your phones on silent; that is what they ask of you.
List No. 6. Rhetorical questions we have for the team
Can we have a copy of the script? What is on those pages? Gibberish has never looked more fun and challenging.
Sadiq, who speaks ICELANDIC: Did you mess up a dialogue? Would anyone ever know?
Patrick, what do you eat for breakfast, and where do you get that energy? There is not a second when this actor takes a breath in between! At one point, we saw the backstage staff wipe off the sweat on his face as he hopped and entertained!
Coco-Cola. Can you ask them to sponsor the arts?
Addendum to the point above: Coco-Cola. Was it just us, or was the last scene with Coca-Cola cans in the sea a remark on the trash humans are responsible for?
Who is Richard? Sshh…go figure it out!
List No. 7. Our takeaways.
We love Serene. A mermaid never looked as pretty as Patrick made it look. Oh, and Patrick looked terrific in a microskirt, too.
A hall full of laughs is just what the doctor ordered.
This is the most creative show you'll ever see in terms of props, concept, script, dialogue, interactivity, physical theatre, and more.
List No. 8. Favourite prop.
Come on, don't make us do that now. We're divided between goat poop, beating heart… no, we can't pick one.
List No. 9. Words we'd use to describe this play.
Clever and sharp.
Subtle messaging.
Complex (for the actors)
Inventive and funny.
Don't worry; this review is almost over! At some point in the show, when the actors realize you are losing patience, they hold up a sign saying just that (it's almost nearing the end…), and despite your kid getting cranky or you (adults have far limited, fading patience), you end up laughing and play along. Can it be tighter by a few minutes? Yes. Are we still in awe of what we witnessed? Yes. Will we return? Yes.
A hashtag we thought we'd never use.
List No.10. What shall we call this play?
Dumb charades
Comedy
Clowning
Physical theatre
Phenomenal.
All of the above.
Authored by Purva Grover
Purva Grover is an author, journalist, and creative entrepreneur. She is the founder-editor of storiesoverart.com, a sanctuary for all who find solace, inspiration, and purpose in art. In a world that often overlooks the significance of art, she stands firm in her belief that it is essential, more so than anything else.
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