Acting without a script? I tried it.

For years now, Mondays in our household have looked surprisingly upbeat. While others around us joked about Monday blues, my husband and I had quietly carved out a tradition of our own. After finishing work, we would head to a small, welcoming theatre tucked into a creative corner of Al Quoz. There, a brilliant ensemble performed improv, a spontaneous form of comedy that never failed to lift our spirits.

- Sayali Singhi

The Courtyard Playhouse, Dubai’s only dedicated improv theatre and training centre, is an independent space for live performances. With its red velvet seats, golden glow, and cozy seating, it feels more like a warm living room than a formal stage. It quickly became our Monday night ritual.

Week after week, we watched the resident ensemble take the stage and spin entire scenes out of thin air. Some evenings were laugh-out-loud funny. Others felt strange, even a little surreal. Sometimes, a scene would unexpectedly land somewhere emotional. Whatever shape it took, the enigma kept us coming back.

Then three weeks ago, we finally took the plunge and signed up for their improvisation workshop for beginners, aptly named Don’t Panic.