Why bring Shakespeare to Dubai? Because the audiences are so engaged with the show that it makes performing any play here a profoundly enjoyable experience. This young audience has got some of Shakespeare's jokes that even the Brits missed (I had to hold on for several seconds before I could continue after Maria's line "Marry sir, I have not you by the hand" got a massive laugh).

This afternoon's performances was sheer joy from beginning to end - it's up there with the best two hours I've ever spent on a stage. Mind you, I am partnered with the incomparable Morgan Philpott as Sir Toby: a dream partner to have by your side.

This man Shakespeare is a total wonder. Who is writing a play today that is going to be enjoyed so enormously by actors and audiences alike in four hundred year's time...?

This doesn't happen very often: you pick the phone and you are asked if you'd like to bring a new production of a play of your choice by Shakespeare to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain followed by five days in Damascus. You find yourself saying "er, yes" and six weeks later you're in rehearsals with a brand new director rehearsing Shakespeare's great comedy with a fantastic group of actors.

The show opened last week in Birmingham and ran for four tremendously fun performances and two days later we were in Abu Dhabi as guests of the Abu Dhabi Festival.

We performed our first two shows today which went wonderfully well and tomorrow we head to Dubai.

We are being looked after marvellously by the festival organisers and the media seem very excited by the production. So we're looking forward to the week ahead.

Er, yes. I'm glad I picked up the phone.