The Arabian Nights
by Richard Lloyd

Reviewed by Theo Spring for The Croydon Advertiser

Worth six stars, were I able to award them, this collection of stories culled from the theoretical 1001 are gruesome, bawdy, sad, comical and thought-provoking, so something for everyone. Performing in the open air at The Woodman, Woodmansterne, since 1993, these productions are now part of summer’s drama treats. Staging is sumptuous – colourful cloth swaths provide the backdrop; costumes are richly trimmed with shimmer and sheen gaining full marks for wardrobe team of five. Props are brightly painted and constructed with thought and care with a particular mention for the huge cabinet (enough to take four men), which is a major work, and the lamp oil pots. No surprise that a team of ten were responsible for these and many more. Richard Lloyd’s direction kept the essence of the east while introducing accents from England in dialogue between the poorer families, while talk in the palaces was upper crust. Seven tales are told in all with the first setting the scene as to why Shaharazad needed to conjure them up to save her neck and mend the heart of the bloodthirsty King Shahryar. Tanya Allison as Shaharazad story-told her way through the production magnificently – a very demanding role professionally executed (no pun intended!) With so many to cast, doubling was a must, even the twice-used donkey with its realistic head used different actors. Howard Payne created a wickedly evil Yellow Fox, ad-libbing as his “forty” thieves tire as they repeatedly ran a circular route off and on stage. Emma Griffin is the cheeky servant girl Morgiana who has wit as well as charms and her acting talent later found her as the gormless slave girl commanding a very different role. As Kasim and later Sage Duban, Simeon Dawes went from frivolous to wise, cleverly using potions as the sage and Penny Payne did wifely duties to Kasim and the Doctor – firstly as a shrew and secondly as a partner in crime. Chris Argles opened the production as the Chief Wazir, father, as we discover, of the threatened Shaharazad. The logistics of getting everyone in the right costume and to the right entrance do not bear thinking about, but the thieves were right there, in the trees, ready to ride up and “Open Sesame”, the scene shifters in their stripy robes and shades looked part of the action and the tales themselves are intriguing. Mark Taylor is the musical magician who composed the emphatic score and lighting by Jonathan Wales brings the wide set to life. Did I say we had a light drizzle almost throughout the show? It takes more than that to thwart a British audience who are being entertained so royally, and a cast who ignored the weather and gave their all. Do go, I urge you, but take a chair, rug and rain gear – just in case.Performances until 6th August.