Nights to remember Arabian Nights

A re-telling of the classic tale aims to surprise Dubai audiences

The classic tale Arabian Nights has been read, re-imagined and re-told hundreds of times on screen, on stage and in books, in all sorts of styles. But a new theatrical production coming to Dubai in September is trying to tell the story in a way nobody has done before.

Story Pocket Theatre, a British stage company under the patronage of War Horse author Michael Morpurgo, is retelling Arabian Nights at Ductac this month for children and adults using humour, dance, music and puppets.

The show, suitable for children aged four and up, won an award at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe, which is where Ductac’s head of programming Elizabeth Crowder first saw it.

“I was totally won over by the innovative retelling and instantly knew it was going to be the show I brought to Ductac,” she says. “I was looking for a piece that had relevance for a breadth of audiences, and which showcased what the Fringe does year-on-year: theatre that pushes the envelope, that is engaging, refreshing and skilled.”

She’s convinced Story Pocket Theatre’s take on Arabian Nights, with tales of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves and Aladdin and his lamp, among others, will surprise audiences in Dubai.

“The physicality of the piece and the use of puppetry really transforms the tales, whether that’s for adults or for kids. The stories are told in a far more light-hearted way than the original tales, which makes them much more accessible.” September 25 and 26

Centrepoint Theatre, Ductac, Dubai, 11am and 3pm, Dhs120. Tel: (04) 3414777. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. ductac.org