Simon Hammerstein caught in The Act

Tell us what The Act Dubai is all about. What is it bringing to the city that it doesn’t already have?

The Act Dubai is a theatre club with Peruvian cuisine. Located on the 42nd and 43rd floors of the Shangri-La on Shaikh Zayed Road, it will be the highest theatre in the world. We will be flying acts in from around the world with no night being the same. We are looking to bring a new and exciting change to Dubai nightlife.

Did you spend much time checking out  the entertainment scene in the Middle East before deciding to bring The Act here?

I came here for a week and hit all the clubs and restaurants I could squeeze in. Everyone was incredibly nice and friendly, which made me look forward to bringing our show to Dubai.

How hands-on have you been in the formation of the Dubai branch of The Act?
 
Very. The design phase is an extremely important aspect to me and I am very hands-on with any new openings.

How do you source your performers? Where do you find them?
 
We find performers from all over the world. We hold auditions in all our venues and also get sent videos online constantly. We have a stringent process when it comes to sourcing and employing our performers because they have to be the best of the best.

What are the ingredients that make a great night out for you?

The right music, company and energy in the crowd.

If you could build a time machine and attend any party, celebration or entertainment venue in history  – from a flappers ball in the 1920s to Studio 54 in the disco era – where would you go and why?

I would have to say, probably hanging out with Julius Caesar in Ancient Rome.

What’s the typical reaction from your friends when you tell them you’re setting up one of your clubs in the Middle East?

They’ve never been, so they don’t get why I would want to open a business here. It’s hard to explain to them how exciting it feels to be in a city like Dubai that is growing so quickly.

You get a lot of A-listers in your clubs. What are the initials of the most obnoxious celebrity you’ve ever encountered?
 
Actually celebrities aren’t usually as obnoxious as you might think. When they are well looked after they are often grateful to be invited to a fun party.

You’ve opened clubs in London, New York and LA, with Dubai and Miami soon to be added to the list. Where next?

At the moment we don’t have any set plans, but we are always looking for new and interesting locations so watch this space.