The Elf in the Gulf 2025

the cadet christmas

The Elf in Gulf saga returned for its second season in the UAE with a host of new elves alongside our familiar favourites from our very first season. Conceptualised and written by Lauren Noble and Hayley Smith who directed, designed and stage managed the show, The C.A.D.E.T Christmas welcomed audiences of all ages to the Christmas Academy and Department of Elvish Training program.

We joined Gizmo, Luna, Nova, Dazzle and Glitch who were put through their paces by Admiral Frost in the newly renovated Dubai headquarters. These five new elves only had one advent to learn what it takes to be an elf assigned to the families of the UAE... and their mentor elves do seem awfully familiar! Our picnic theatre edition of The Elf in the Gulf returned as a theatrical experience to kickstart the spirit of the season with Collab Company.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Cast List

elves and ensemble

Thank you

from all of us elves

Collab Company is an organisation that prides itself on its ability to seek out collaborative partnerships with individuals, brands and venues who align with our ethos whilst encouraging us to evolve as a company as we aim to align with theirs. We could never have achieved what we set out to achieve on The Elf in the Gulf without the support of so many and we are so grateful to those who gave us a new home for our headquarters this year.

To Naomi and Nidhi - for offering us a new home when we came knocking on your door. Our relationship with South View School is a direct reflection of the effort and energy of Charly Rock and her amazing performing arts department who are always there to lend us a hand when we need it. Thank you for deepening that relationship even further this year.
To Charly, Darpan and Tessa - thank you for all you do for us as Collab Company, for advocating for us when we aren't even in the same room as you and the way you show up for the arts in every way imaginable. You support has been invaluable this season.
To our Pay It Forward friends - for the way you unquestioningly supported those in our cast and crew who may not have had this opportunity to evolve themselves and their passion for the performing arts. A massive shout out to Delyse and Talya of MT_ROX, Omid Honari, Saiqah Amin, Vishal Kumar and Emilie Rochford. Your generosity has ensured that the arts remains accessible to everyone, and not just a select few. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
To the core creatives - Hayley for your quirky writing and detail-oriented designs; Hannah for your love of music and the way you showcased that through your direction; Tessa for your unwavering support on production and your inclusive spirit; Laura for your love of dance and willingness to go many, many miles extra to ensure everyone feels included in our choreo; Sasha for your ability to make a difference wherever you are.
To Ovidiu Dugulan - for spending days and days on photography and videography with us (whilst being as chaotically creative and shenanigan-centric as we are, yet entirely dedicated to discovering how much more our crafts can complement each other even further!) Thank you for everything, as always!
To Beth Mitchinson - for your mentorship of Laura in her chorographic journey and your ability to engage so many levels of dance and movement and direction in your advice.
To Adam Laird - for your mentorship of Hannah in her musical theatre journey and your ability to be the techiest tech wizard who ever walked the earth (you would give Gandalf a run for his money, sir!)
To Arya-Brie Zytkoskee, Une Basco, Kristen Lukwaro, Hareem Shafqat, Joanne Kapemb Kot - for your support in creating our mental health and wellbeing messages from the elves of the UAE to our Coallb Company audiences. Thank you!
To Zuane and Claire - for your devotion to dance and ensuring our cast is supported to achieve their best in this space. Thank you for stepping up like you do.

We cannot wait to start writing the next chapter of The Elf in the Gulf. The focus for next year? The Elf Expo, of course - let's see how many cultures and languages we can represent in true UAE fashion within the next storyline!