Arabian Nights: Young theatre troupe puts spin on classic tale

Marco Vigliotti A local theatre troupe is aiming to sweep audiences away to an exotic land of scheming sultans and swashbuckling pirates.

Marco Vigliotti

A local theatre troupe is aiming to sweep audiences away to an exotic land of scheming sultans and swashbuckling pirates.

The Lambton Young Theatre Players is staging Arabian Nights at the Sarnia Library Theatre, and putting its own spin on one of the book’s classic tales, Sinbad the Sailor.

“I’ve always been fascinated with Arabian Nights. The story is just set in such an exotic locale, and the costuming and the fabric and the traditions,” said director and writer Nancy Keys. “It’s just so colourful.”

In addition to spawning the Sinbad movie franchise, the centuries-old Arabian Nights anthology features the tale of Aladdin, inspiration for the hugely popular Disney musical.

Keys said the production’s telling of Sinbad – who on his many voyages ventures to magical locales and encounters mythical monsters – provides a comedic punch that’s entertaining and accessible to audience members of all ages.

“It’s a comedy. It’s very colourful, very fast moving, there’s a lot of action, and it’s very entertaining,” she said.

“And the kids are fabulous, of course.”

The theatre company, now in its fourth year, features 26 young actors aged 10 to 18, who all hail from Sarnia-Lambton and love the stage.

“The kids are having a really good time,” she said.

The creative team includes young people working with industry professionals in design, stage management, sound, lighting and special effects.

Arabian Nights is the troupe’s sixth show. For more, visit www.lambtonyoungplayers.com.

 IF YOU GO:

WHEN: Friday Dec. 5th, 7 p.m., Saturday Dec. 6th, 2 p.m.

WHERE: Sarnia Library Theatre

TICKETS: $15 adults, $8 students. Available at the door or in Petrolia at Petrolia Mercantile & Tea.