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The adaptation is written by renowned local playwright Ismail Mohamed, with resident UJ director Jade Bowers at the helm. The cast includes Dolly Louw, Musanete Sakupwanya and Ilse Klink, with enchanting compositions by Matthew MacFarlane and choreography by Daniel Buckland.
Set in the perilous palace of the ruthless King Shahrayar who vows to execute his new brides, the story revolves around the clever Queen Scheherazade. Determined to avoid the executioner's axe, she weaves a tapestry of captivating tales each night by drawing the King through magical realms filled with talking birds, cunning thieves and creatures. Will Scheherazade's silver-tongued tales be enough to help her evade death for another day?
This show breathes life into the timeless tales of One Thousand and One Nights offering a thrilling exploration of the power of narrative and the enduring quest for survival. This rendition by UJ explores deep themes of diversity, transformation and cultural tolerance against the backdrop of the rich history of the Middle East. It reflects influences of Arabic, Egyptian, Sanskrit, Persian and Mesopotamian literature and aims to spark important conversations about history, religion, human life and understanding community.
“The chance to experiment with our African tradition – storytelling – to contribute to societal transformation and impact within the context of these rich narratives really excited me.” – Director, Jade Bowers.
“Representation matters," says Bowers. "This production is an exploration of our histories and cultures through storytelling. Storytelling has run through our veins for centuries, and our blood flows from the East, from the North and from the West. This production is, hopefully, one small insight into the stories of our ancestors,” she adds.
1001 Nights will take to the stage at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the UJ Arts Centre. Book your tickets now.
