THE dale’s young actors are preparing a show full of eastern promise for their next stage performance.
Junior Turrets will take to the stage with their production of Arabian Nights on Thursday, July 4, at The Witham.
The group has been working hard during the last months with youth theatre leaders Laura Shaw and Rupert Philbrick to develop their characters, scenes and ideas ready for the show.
The play is set in the fictional land of Arabia, where the king, Shahrayar, rules with a blackened heart and an iron fist. After Shahrayar first discovers his wife and queen to be a cheat – and following her subsequent execution – he has married anew each night before promptly chopping off his new wife’s head the next day – for fear he might be cheated on once again.
Mr Philbrick explains: “The king has nothing but resentment in his heart, and slowly the city is turning against him as one by one the women disappear.
“Our heroine takes the form of Shahrazad, daughter of the king’s vizier, and a wonderful storyteller. Our story follows brave Shahrazad on her quest to calm the king’s anger and wrath, as she volunteers herself to be married, in the faith that each night she can share another magical story, slowly bringing the king back to life and love.”
Mr Philbrick said rehearsals had been going well.
“It’s been a really exciting process to work with the group on a scripted performance.
“I’m amazed at how quickly they have been learning lines, and taking on board all the different bits of direction as we develop the show.”
Tickets for the performance, at 7pm, are £7, £4 for children and £20 for families. Contact The Witham box office on 01833 631107, or go to www.thewitham.org.uk for details.
