I attended Young Rep Seniors presenting Arabian Nights at Birmingham Rep Theatre as part of its Love & Rebellion festival. This followed on from its very successful Order and Chaos Festival last year.
This production offered an inventive re-telling of the stories from the Middle Eastern folktale, One Thousand and One Nights where the young Queen Shahrazad spins her dazzling array of tales and characters to enchant her husband, King Shahrayar and save her life.
Scenery wise was the first glimpse I had of how this production was going to be. It transported me to the Middle East, lanterns hung, with decorative oil lamps, with various heights of the stage being used, it was a simple but effective set which conveyed the message of the show.
The 1st half of the show did have some sound issues, the actors voices were very quiet, there was one piece of music which was too loud, which drowned out Millie Pickering’s lines. However 2nd half was better sound wise.
The young rep seniors of Birmingham Rep Theatre were given an opportunity to act and within the show a spellbinding display of talent, showcasing their exceptional skills and dedication did shine through for some of the shows actors.
However some points of the show did fall flat and this was not at the fault of the actors. The actors delivered the lines they were scripted but quite often there was a pause, then the next actor would deliver their line. In shows I have seen to counter this, the ensemble would be acting in the background or there would be a cacophony of noise so there was not quiet moments. As the show at times resembled a bazaar, more ensemble members could have acted in the background whilst the main characters were delivering the dialogue. This would have reduced emphasis on the pauses and gave more of a feeling to the scene the actors were in.
The Birmingham Rep Theatre’s commitment to nurturing young talent was evident in every aspect of the production.
The adaptation of ‘Arabian Nights’ also demonstrated a commendable effort to promote cultural understanding and diversity. By presenting these timeless tales with sensitivity and respect, the production offered audiences a window into the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern folklore and traditions.
There were some standout performances by cast members, so now its time to give worthy mentions:
Tina Momtahan’s portrayal of Queen Shahrazad was excellent, she delivered a vulnerability and maturity to the portrayal of her. I think with the correct training in their professional career, Tina could easily be working on the West End Stage.
Abi Thompson’s portrayal of the Ghoul showed she must have a dance background and this was evident in the dance moves she portrayed. The moves were flawless and I had to stop myself and remember I was not at a professional production.
Cuba Dennis-Stephens gave a good performance of Kasim and could also have easily played the King, demonstrating his calm and effective stage presence.
Edward Appadu’s portrayal of the Little Beggar was incredible and brought the right amount of comic timing to make the audience laugh.
Kiran Shivapadasundaram’s portrayal of Ali Baba was very good and enjoyable to watch, again I think similar to Tina with the right professional training could go onto the West End.
I absolutely loved Lily-Mae Brookes portrayal of Amina and Dinarazad in this production, her acting was superb and it made me believe in her character so much. Lily-Mae was acting even when not delivering a line.
Radhika Sharma’s portrayal of Parizade was also remarkable and fell in love in the performance she provided.
Special mention to Millie Pickering who played captain of the forty thieves, great acting and stage presence.
I think particular shout out’s need to go to Christina Wright=Young and Maya Rehman for their acting skills.
As you can see quite a lot of shout outs to particular performers in this show!
As said earlier, if only the atmosphere of the Middle East could have been incorporated into the production ( i.e using the ensemble more) this would have been a 5 star review.
As the curtain falls on this remarkable production, it’s clear that the young rep seniors of Birmingham Rep Theatre have not only delivered a good performance. Their dedication, talent, and passion have left an indelible mark on Birmingham’s cultural landscape, promising a bright future for the arts in the city.
The show is on for one more night, so be quick if you want to go and see it: