About the Play:

Arabian Nights is a full-length drama adapted for the stage by Dominic Cooke. Enter ancient Persia, and be transformed by the power of storytelling – again! Based on One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of folk tales from the Middle East and Asia, Arabian Nights is rich with suspense, romance and hilarity – stories irresistible for all ages, At its heart is the power of the imagination to heal, inspire, and transform.

Arabian Nights is a celebration of the power of storytelling. Enter the imagination of the beautiful and clever Queen Shahrazad as she takes us on her life-and-death journey through a dazzling array of stories. We meet the queen on her wedding night in the palace of King Shahrayar. The king's heart has been darkened by betrayal and Shahrazad, like a thousand young brides before her, will be put to death the next morning. Unlike her misfortunate predecessors, the quick-witted Shahrazad has a skill that might save her life: the gift of storytelling. Can the young Queen transport the vengeful King to the mystical land of her stories? Shahrazad draws the King into a fantastical world where he meets such characters as Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Sinbad the Sailor, Abu Hassan, and a plethora of other characters. With her mischievous imagination, Shahrazad brings life to adventurers in strange and magical worlds populated by giant beasts, talking birds and crafty thieves. Will her silver-tongued storytelling save her life? She calls each of us to put aside the cares of our own world, if only for a few moments, and join our imaginations to hers.

Arabian Nights was first with great success at the Young Vic in 1998 as part of their holiday series, winning a 2000 Theater Management Association Award for Best Theatre for Children and Young People. It has had successful UK national and international tours, including a run in New York City.

Cast: 4 female, 5 male (with doubling)

What people say:

"The best demonstration all year of the living power of theatre." — The Observer

About the Playwright:

Dominic Cooke is an acclaimed British theatre director who was Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre 2006-13. He is the author of several plays including Arabian Nights.