As we hurtle into the busiest time of year in the UAE, with concerts and stage shows of all kinds everywhere you look, the cabaret of The Act is the perfect way to kick things off.
The restaurant and theatre has changed up its offering on weeknights (Monday-Wednesday), offering a stage show timed alongside your food — yes, it’s dinner theatre, and I highly recommend you take your ceviche with a side of acrobatics this month.
Shows change every six weeks, and currently running is Showtime!, which takes you behind the scenes as some initially hapless dramatic wannabes try to salvage a stage show. It’s classic “the-show-must-go-on” fun, with high-kicking dancing girls in fishnets and leg warmers, a brash theatre director, secretly talented stagehands dying to show off their bag of tricks and a some audience participation.
There are laughs as well as gasps — especially from the stunning male-female adagio duo, Naomi and Renaldo, who practice their moves next to your table, and from the Chinese acrobat, Kai Hou, (I will say no more lest I ruin the many surprises).
The show is in several acts, ensuring the wait staff can deliver your courses to the table during the intermissions. It all flows very smoothly, and you will have plenty of chances to chat to your tablemates about the stupendous acrobatics during the night (I am taking some pains to explain this, because this is not your average dinner — but one you really should have a go at).
The menu has changed only a little since The Act opened last year, and that’s good — the modern Peruvian food was already excellent, with no need for dhef Roberto Segura Gonzales to fiddle too much. A standout for me were the aubergine carpaccio to start, which comes with delicious, crispy quinoa (yes, it can be delicious!). Ceviche is a must-try, however you feel about raw fish, especially the tangy-sweet mango-coconut-salmon. For mains, a creamy, soupy spicy potato side is unusual, but I loved the pops of halloumi cheese. The duck is a don’t miss — moist and tender, with ultra-crisp skin.
The best part? Dinner is à la carte (with set menus from Dh320) and there’s no extra charge for the show — meaning you get an intimate, Cirque de Soleil-style performance for the price of a nice meal.
