Photo: Cylla von TiedemannErotic, brutal, witty and poetic, One Thousand and One Nights are the never-ending stories told by the young Shahrazad under sentence of death to King Shahrayar. Maddened by the discovery of his wife's orgies, King Shahrayar believes all women are unfaithful and vows to marry a virgin every night and kill her in the morning. To survive, Shahrazad spins a web of tales night after night, leaving the King in suspense when morning comes, thus prolonging her life for another day.
Written in Arabic from tales gathered in India, Persia and across the great Arab empire, these mesmerizing stories tell of the real and the supernatural, love and marriage, power and punishment, wealth and poverty, and the endless trials and uncertainties of fate. Read more …
Dramatised and directed by Tim Supple, with stories adapted by the acclaimed Lebanese novelist Hanan al-Shaykh, One Thousand and One Nights comes from the pulsating heart of today's Arabic speaking world and is performed by actors, musicians and a creative team from Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, Paris and London.
One Thousand and One Nights is told in two compelling parts each of which can be seen and enjoyed on its own; or see both in the same day and fully immerse yourself in these remarkable tales for a truly intoxicating Festival experience.
For details and to book One Thousand and One Nights Part 2, go here. Get a 10% discount on each ticket when you buy for both parts in the same transaction.
Please note these performances contain adult themes that may not be suitable for children.
Once you get used to the disappointment that unlike Supple’s acclaimed 2008 A Midsummer Night’s Dream, One Thousand and One Nights is not going to feature cartwheels, people dropping from the ceiling and actors climbing all over the walls, you’ll realise that yet again, his staging is perfect.
It's six hours long, and in Arabic, but don't be put off: this retelling of ancient stories is both mesmerising and thoroughly modern.
It's sad that this important project is not more vibrant.
One Thousand And One Nights is a perfect piece of festival theatre.
Uncompromising take on One Thousand and One Nights at 2011 EIF
Edinburgh Festival 2011: Tim Supple on One Thousand and One Nights
One Thousad and One Nights: Dangerous liaisons
Retelling One Thousand and One Nights
The neverending stories of One Thousand and One Nights cast their spell
Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh from Sunday August 21, 2011, until Saturday September 3, 2011. Shown in two seperate parts. Check EIF for specific times for Parts 1 and 2.. More info: www.lyceum.org.uk
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