Public reviews

Ed Fringe 2010: Arabian Nights – Scottish Storytelling Centre

Writer: Theatre of Widdershins

Director: Theatre of Widdershins

Reviewer: Deborah Klayman

The Public Reviews Rating: 

Finding something engaging enough to take children to is always a challenge in the festival, particularly when you have children of varying ages. Fortunately, Bedfordshire-based Theatre of Widdershins are a company you can rely on, with every production offering superb sets and storytelling, and practically perfect puppetry.

The audience enters to a smell of incense and the sound of drumming. The storyteller takes his time meeting the children in the audience and letting them play the drum before settling in to recount his stories. In this version of Arabian Nights, we hear three of Sheherazade’s lost tales rather than the expected Aladdin and Ali Baba, and each is ably narrated and performed by the incomparable Andy Lawrence. The first story is about a man called Jadha, who journeys a long way to find wealth and happiness. The second is about a talking donkey, and the third a fisherman and a genie: each tale is entertaining and unique with the wonderful Widdershins puppets to assist Andy and delight the audience.

In addition to the storyteller and puppets, atmospheric music and wonderful scenery are employed to make this experience memorable. It was a pity that Sheherazade wasn’t utilised more and that perhaps one of the stories wasn’t more well-known, but the kids didn’t seem to mind and sat rapt for the whole hour. A wonderful production, and a delightful company that you will want to see again and again.

Runs until 30th Au