McCarter Theatre::: The Arabian Nights- Resource Guide

The Arabian Nights: written by - Christopher T. parks, directed by Jon Ludwig.

One of the oldest, most famous books in the world, the Tales of the Arabian Nights is a collection of stories nested within a larger story: in order to keep from being killed the clever Scheherazade must keep the powerful Sultan, Shahriyar, entranced by her stories. These stories come from throughout the Islamic world, and many date back to the ninth century. Because The Arabian Nights is so rooted in oral storytelling, it seems a particularly appropriate piece for the theater.

McCarter’s production of The Arabian Nights uses a variety of puppetry techniques to tell these exciting stories. As you watch, think about how the different styles of puppetry match the different styles of story. This guide will help provide background information on both the culture and the stories of The Arabian Nights, as well as on the art and craft of puppetry.