ARABIAN NIGHTS. To 17 January.
Newcastle-under-Lyme.
ARABIAN NIGHTS
by Dominic Cooke.
New Vic Theatre To 17 January 2009.
10.30am 25-27 Nov, 2-5;8-12;15-19 Dec, 6-9;12-16 Jan.
2.15pm 24;29 Nov, 3-4;6;8-9;13;16;20;22-24;27-31 Dec, 3;7;10;17 Jan.
7.30pm 29 Nov, 19;22-23;26-27;29-30 Dec, 2-3;9-10;16-17 Dec.
Audio-described 6 Dec, 8 Jan.
BSL Signed 7 Jan 10.30am.
Captioned 9 Dec2.15pm, 13 Dec.
Runs 2hr 40min One interval.
TICKETS: 01782 717962.
www.newvictheatre.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 22 November.
Colourful and characterful Christmas show at the New Vic.
This production confirms the fineness of Dominic Cooke’s ‘1001 Nights’ adaptation. It takes audiences on a journey, from the widely-known Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (juvenile delinquents here, thanks to the Potteries youngsters who also form a pack of dogs and join skilfully in dance sequences). Then there’s the tale-within-a-tale of Es-Sindbad, well known in outline, on the way to the unfamiliar story of the Three Sisters.
Not a Chekhovian intrusion into Christmas, this shows two sisters turning against their sibling queen, destroying her reputation and threatening her life. The substantial story involves its own moral and physical journeys, culminating in a lesson from cucumbers.
There’s a journey too for King Shahrayar, whose destructive revenge against women is eventually replaced by forgiveness through Shahrazad’s brave storytelling.
Amelia Donkor’s Shahrazad moves briskly round the edges of designer Lis Evans’ raised stage, helping stories along by handing-out props and costume. As he’s drawn in to her tales, George Eggay’s Shahrayar moves from lolling at the side to imaginative and physical involvement in the tale-telling, ultimately learning wisdom simultaneously as the ‘Sisters’ monarch and as himself.
He begins unwinding during the comedy of Abu Hassan’s mighty flatulence; an interesting sidelight on the royal sense of humour, and on the function of humour, while references to Basra and “Baghdad, city of peace” have acquired new resonance since this script’s 1998 Young Vic premiere.
Initially, director Paul Warwick holds matter up with laboured panto-style humour; thankfully, he later creates many magical moments. There’s plenty to enjoy as the action keeps popping through the trap-doors of Evans’ colourful set, or images of wealth explode on the New Vic walls from Daniella Beattie’s lighting. Blind Summit’s Sindbad puppet is a finely expressive creation and Malcolm Newton’s score, which includes a percussive ghoul-dance, helps flavour events.
As do performances that create vivid cameos, some wittily etching character through modern tones and modes of expression. Among those around Donkor and Eggay are Madeline Appiah as Shahrazad’s sparky sister Dinarzad, Stephen Finegold’s richly-voiced range of characters and Richard Kidd’s comically athletic Beggar, who somersaults down-stairs, then back up again.
Marjanah/Amina/Envious Sister: Suzanne Ahmet.
Dinarzad/Tailor’s Wife/Parizade: Madeline Appiah.
Shahrazad: Amelia Donkor.
King Shahrayar: George Eggay.
Vizier/Captain of the Forty Thieves/Es-Sindbad the Sailor: Stephen Finegold.
Ali Baba/Little Beggar/Perviz: Richard Kidd.
Kasim/Tailor/Bahman: Darren Kuppan.
Ali Baba’s Wife/Doctor’s Wife/Envious Sister: Ruth Rogers.
Baba Mustapha/Abu Hassan/Wise Old Man: Steve Varnom.
Children: Jessica Barker. Poppy Beresford, Rachel Eldershaw, Ellie Forrester-O’Neil, James Hart, Chloe Ketteringham/Daniel Henson, Olivia McIntyre, Fran Mills, Hannah Roberts, Becky Salt, Rebecca Wilshaw/Jessica Bates, Holly Morgan, Miriam Mamlouk, Miriam Zeta Mould, Joshua Pender, Evie Weldon.
Director: Paul Warwick.
Designer: Lis Evans.
Lighting: Daniella Beattie.
Sound: James Earle-Davis.
Composer: Malcolm Newton.
Musical Director: Tim Farmer.
Movement: John Wright.
Choreographer: Shobna Gulati.
Puppetry: Blind Summit Theatre.
Assistant director: Jill Rezzano.
2008-11-23 14:00:20