 ALI BABA
AND THE FORTY THIEVES
BOOK
BY COLIN WAKEFIELD. MUSIC AND LYRICS BY KATE EDGAR
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“This
splendid ALI BABA pulls off the unusual trick of retaining most of the
elements of traditional pantomime – ‘he’s behind you’, soliloquised sob
stories, a chase, ‘Oh yes it is!' and a good song to join in – while
also being artistically very fresh and imaginative.”
(THE STAGE)
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by Dylan Woolf
“The
Theatre Royal has served up a truly terrific treat this year. Their
take on ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES is that rare theatrical event: a
show designed to appeal to adults and children in equal measure. The
astonishing musical talent of the performers, combined with a witty
script, groan-aloud humour, traditional fun and slapstick comedy left
everybody happy, even my world-weary, sugar-crazed seven year old…. The
songs, written by Kate Edgar, were so catchy I was disappointed that no
CD could be bought as a souvenir.”
(ISLE OF THANET
GAZETTE)
CAST
(4M, 2F)
| AL ZAMAN |
M
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Chief
thief
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| MUSTAFA MARSBAR |
M
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Foolish henchman |
| MUSTAFA MALTEEZER |
M/F
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Foolish henchman |
| ALI BABA |
M
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Our hero |
| KASIM |
M
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Ali’s elder brother |
| RUM BABA |
F
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Kasim’s wife |
KHALIF
|
M
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Their
son
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BASHIRA
|
F
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Their servant |
| MISTA SIZZA |
M
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A tailor |
CANTAB
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M/F
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A smelly camel |
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CASTING
NOTE: The original production was performed by a cast of six
(4M, 2F), with doubling as follows: MARSBAR with KHALIF, MALTEEZER with
RUM BABA and KASIM with MISTA SIZZA and CANTAB (a stylised beast,
requiring just one actor). Without doubling, the show is suitable for a
cast of up to eleven.
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SETTINGS & COSTUME
The
stage can be set by the company ‘before your very eyes’ and costume
changes may, if desired, take place quite openly. The set changes
should be as simple and as fluid as possible, with the audience
enjoying the theatricality of the whole process.
Necessary locations: THE BABAS’
HOUSE (interior); THE CAVE (exterior, with a glimpse inside); THE
TAILOR’S SHOP; THE STREET (outside the BABAS’ house).
MUSIC
Fifteen
numbers. The original production was cast with six actor/musicians,
with no separate band or MD. The music has also been scored for two
keyboards, so the show can be performed by non-instrumentalists – i.e.
as a conventional musical.
“The rap and the barbershop numbers in
particular are a great credit to composer Kate Edgar.”
(THE
STAGE)
“Encompassing everything from barbershop to haunting clarinet melodies, this energetic explosion of a pantomime
was a gem in Thanet’s Christmas celebrations. The strong cast of six
treated the audience to a traditional panto while also breathing fresh
air into the genre.”
(ISLE OF THANET GAZETTE)
ALI BABA was first performed at Theatre Royal Margate on
11th December 2008, directed by Will Wollen.
The
script and and music for ALI BABA are published by JOSEF WEINBERGER
PLAYS (020 7580 2827), who handle all contracts and from whom
inspection copies are available.
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