Features

Five Reasons To See … Arabian Nights

Mitesh Soni plays Ali Baba and a whole host of other parts in Amy Leach’s production of Dominic Cooke’s adaptation of Arabian Nights for the Library Theatre Company at The Lowry. The production runs later this month for the festive season. We caught up with him to find why you should go along.


1. The Feeling.
Now. Storytelling. The word itself is magic. Arabian Nights, set theatrically in the round, will allow you to FEEL the horror of 1000 young girls being killed; shudder at the shock of a dismembered body being found; and exude happiness as you watch a beggar commit multiple suicides… And that’s within the first 30 minutes!

2. The Smell.
Instinctively you will take in a deep breath, as you come to a deserted island, and SMELL the sea air, infused with hints of incense. Then within moments, that smell will be littered with the wafts of greed, envy, corruption, and mistrust – all whisked in a frenzy of a giant fart.

3. The Grand Designs.
Grand designs (of the set/costume/Hayley Grindle kind, not the Channel 4 show) will astound you. Colourful, detailed, and expressive. Add to this the strong choreography by Amir Giles (if we can remember the steps!) and you will SEE a visual treat.

4. Music.
HEAR the delightful compositions of musical director Arun Ghosh. Allow the music to transport you to the different worlds of the stories (and of course, be astounded at the animal sounds the cast attempt to make).

5. Hungry for more?
Then on top of all of that, have a TASTE of Roast Camel, Stuffed Goats, Bread, Fish, Dead Human Flesh & Plastic Wedding Cake. By the end of the show, thanks to Amy Leach’s direction, not only will you be full, but you will also have had one heck of an Arabian Night!


The Library Theatre’s Arabian Nights is at the Lowry from 30 November 2012 – 12 January 2013.