Tales from the Arabian Nights

Seven of Shahrazad''s stories of love, magic and mystery - plus bonus documentaryA collection of fabulous tales of genies, heroes, flying carpets and fantastic voyages, The Arabian Nights has enchanted generations of children and adults. Forged in the Islamic Golden Age, it was brought to Europe in the 18th Century, where it became an instant sensation. Included here are seven full-cast dramatisations, starring Carolyn Backhouse as Shahrazad and Derek Jacobi as the King, as well as a bonus edition of In Our Time exploring the story behind the tales.Ghanim, the Thrall of Love - To escape the executioner''s sword, Shahrazad beguiles the King with a spellbinding tale of love, jealousy, betrayal - and a magic drum.The Ebony Horse - The magical story of a handsome prince, a beautiful princess, and a remarkable wooden horse.The Three Suitors - When Jamilla''s lover is thrown in prison, she devises a cunning plan to free him, involving a carpenter, a magistrate, a bogus camel-cleaner, and a wardrobe...The Ninth Pedestal - Prince Zain inherits eight valuable statues - but the ninth is missing. He goes on a quest to find it - but what he discovers is beyond price...Homza''s Dance - The hunt for a lost arrow leads Prince Ahmed into an amazing adventure of sorcery and transformation.The Hunchback - A series of bizarre accidents befall an eccentric cast of characters in a tale that''s full of twists and turns.The Dream of Baba Abdullah - In a final attempt to save her life, Shahrazad invites the king to enter the final story with her - or return alone...In Our Time: The Arabian Nights - Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the myths, tales and legends of this ever-shifting sea of stories.Cast and creditsAdapted by Colin Haydn EvansDirected by Nigel BryantMusic: Sue Harris and Steafan HanniganStarring Carolyn Backhouse as Shahrazad and Derek Jacobi as the King.Ghanim, the Thrall of LoveWazir - Simon CarterGhanim - Michael LumsdenLeila - Moir LeslieCaliph - Duncan LawRahil - Mary WimbushSlave - Richard O''RyanOld Man - Geoffrey BanksThe Ebony HorseKamar - James TelferThe Sage - Roger HumeShams - Teresa GallagherKamar''s father - John BaddeleyThe Three SuitorsJamilla - Rachel AtkinsHassan - William ChubbFaris - Geoffrey BanksGaoler - Michael MearsMagistrate - Philip AnthonyCarpenter - John BaddeleyShahrazad''s father - Simon CarterThe Ninth PedestalPrince Zain - James TelferMoubarak - John BaddeleyGenie - Steve HodsonMaysun -Teresa GallagherHomza''s DanceAhmed - James TelferPeri Banou - Rachel AtkinsSultan - Philip AnthonySorceress - Mary WimbushHussein - Steve HodsonThe HunchbackTailor - Harry LandisTailor''s wife - Maria CharlesDoctor''s wife - Mary WimbushDoctor - Philip AnthonySeamstress - Kate BinchyChristian - John BaddeleyWatchman - Jonathan OwenMagistrate - Maurice DenhamHunchback - Tania IsonThe Dream of Baba AbdullahBaba Abdullah - Daniel StraussDervish - Geoffrey BanksIn Our TimePresented by Melvyn BraggWith Robert Irwin, Marina Warner and Gerard van GelderProduced by James Cook© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd