MTDXB Presents: Miscast Musicals & Mistletoe

Miscast Musicals & Mistletoe is a two-act musical theatre show staged in Dubai by Musical Theatre Dubai, better known as MTDXB. The idea is simple and playful: the usual casting rules are set aside, so familiar showtunes are sung by performers you would not normally expect to hear them. The result is a December evening of theatre that mixes comedy, big voices and Christmas cheer.

The first act turns casting upside down. Men take on songs made famous by women, women step into roles usually played by men, and grown-up performers tackle numbers written for much younger characters. The programme draws on Matilda, The Book of Mormon, Annie, Wicked, Billy Elliot, Evita and more, bringing together big characters, bold ambitions and some gloriously odd pairings. You do not need to know every lyric to enjoy it, although fans of the shows will have plenty to spot.

The second act moves to the festive season. The company performs Christmas classics and holiday favourites from stage and screen, with a touch of panto magic added. Joyful ensemble numbers sit alongside quieter seasonal moments, and the tone is warm and theatrical, in the style MTDXB audiences already know.

The show takes place at Meyana Theatre in Jumeirah Beach Hotel, a long-standing resort on the Jumeirah coast in Dubai. The hotel's wave-shaped tower is a recognisable landmark of this stretch of beachfront, close to the Burj Al Arab and the Wild Wadi Waterpark. The area is relaxed and resort-minded, with beaches, hotels and promenades nearby, which makes it easy to pair a show with a meal or a walk by the sea.

This is a seated theatre performance rather than a club night, so it suits friends, couples and groups of colleagues looking for a lighter start to the festive period. Guests are welcome to dress for the season, and Christmas jumpers or festive T-shirts fit right in. There are both an afternoon and an evening performance on the day, so you can pick whichever slot suits your plans.

MTDXB is a Dubai-based musical theatre company, and this production reflects its community spirit: the performers clearly enjoy bending the rules of the genre, and that energy carries through to the audience.