Dubai, what is a cardboard comedy?

Discover this weekend with 400 + cardboard props and good laughs!

Described as a "cardboard comedy, " the play's story" 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! Created by top French comedians Pierre Guillois and Olivier Martin-Salvan, the 2022 Moliere Award-winning show was a smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023. "The Ice Hole – A Cardboard Comedy" is now brought to life in Dubai by comedians and actors Sadiq Saboowala and Patrick Albrecht, two-time winners of the local Short+Sweet Dubai Theatre Festival.

The production debuted for four sold-out performances in May and returns for a limited two-performance run at Theatre by QE2 on July 5th and 6th.

We are very excited to present the return season of The Ice Hole – A Cardboard Comedy at Theatre by QE 2. A comedy show of this quality is rarely given in Dubai, with the bonus that it's perfect for the whole family and can be enjoyed in any language. Whatever your age, nationality, or language, come along and enjoy. What amazes me the most is that all the props are handmade; almost 400+ props are made from cardboard by the team led by Lina Younes and her assistants Kehkashan Anand and Ketki Bhosale.

Robert Duce, Outside The Box Events

"I've been based in Dubai for over 12 years," said co-producer Alex Broun, "This is undoubtedly the best show I've ever seen in the UAE, whether locally created or an international touring production. It's pure comic genius. The idea of telling a whole story with cardboard is brilliant in itself. Then you add Patrick and Sadiq's amazing performances and skill, and the result is world-class theatre that is as good as anything you will see anywhere. It's rare in the theatre that something is so good that the audience keeps breaking out in spontaneous applause simply because what they watch on stage is so amazing. That happens regularly in The Ice Hole. In the end, The standing ovation went on and was richly deserved."

"I love this show because I was able to cancel my gym membership," added Patrick Albrecht, who runs pretty well non-stop for 75 minutes of the show, covering approximately 10 kilometers. "I feel for Sadiq as he sits on a box for the whole show while I get to move around – a lot! 

"The Ice Hole—A Cardboard Comedy" is a must-see event for theatre enthusiasts in any language and lovers of creative expression. Dubai's audiences don't often see theatre like this—a play filled with creativity and cardboard artistry.

We are delighted to be able to bring The Ice Hole back to Dubai audiences. We were nervous before the show opened, wondering how audiences would respond to such a unique piece of theatre. But then we were thrilled to see the response – from everyone. They loved it! The first run sold out the day after we opened, so we're delighted we get a chance to bring it to new audiences – or people get to see it again. Many people have already told us they'll be coming back.

Sadiq Saboowala, actor

Show Times: July 5th at 8 pm, July 6th at 3 pm. Venue: Theatre by QE2; Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai, UAE; Tickets: Available to buy online at https://dubai.platinumlist.net/