The Lyceum is a magical theatre. The red plush seats, the traditional fireplace as you walk up from the entrance and the most beautiful ornate celling in the auditorium make it mesmerising. There is also something really special about going to the theatre in the festive season. For me and my family it’s become the start of our festive celebrations.
The Christmas show this year does not disappoint. Arabian Nights is full of colour wonder, music, stories and beautiful sets. There are two talking dogs (played by puppets) that make appearances throughout the show. Their farting provides hilarity amongst the adults and children alike proving that toilet humour never fails.
The story starts in the marketplace with the stall sellers being arrested for sneezing and laughing. The Sultan who rules is suitably nasty, and has devised thousands of laws to prohibit any fun or sense of normality. Scheherazade takes it upon herself to attempt to rescue her mother who is incarcerated along with the other stall holders by the Sultan. Next the story moves into the palace where the fluid set design gives it an ornate and regal nature.
The main character Scheherazade, has a wonderful energy and voice that keeps the audience engaged through out. The re-enactments of the stories along with the music bring the story to life and illustrate the magic of story telling. Apart from a crying baby, the audience young and old sat enraptured for two hours.
The decision for me and my husband three years ago to make the Lyceum festive production our gift to our boys for Christmas, rather than more toys, has proved fruitful. At the Lyceum family open day in October, they all had a million questions for the Stage Manager on the backstage tour. These culminated in our oldest asking him whether the balloon in Alice Wonderland (the production last year) were pre-programmed or on a pulley system.
Ticket prices are not for the faint hearted when paying for a family of five however the memories are well worth it!
‘It was excellent, liked seeing the trap doors in action’ Conrad aged 9
‘Ten out ten…..I loved the stories within a story within a story.’ Magnus aged 7‘My favourite character was the Sultan, because he was so funny. It’s then best show I ever seen.’ Walter aged 5
Arabian Nights is on at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh until 5th January 2018. Tickets can be bought here.
