Hakawatis: Women of the Arabian Nights

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Share in the unifying power of storytelling as ancient tales are reclaimed, rewritten and reimagined for Hakawatis: Women of the Arabian Nights in our candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

Hakawati /hakəˈwɑːti/. Noun: Storyteller. From the Arabic terms hekaye meaning story and haki meaning to talk.

A tyrant revenges his wife’s infidelity by wedding, bedding and beheading a new bride every day. Years later, only five brides-in-waiting remain.

These women are unapologetic, and united in their fight to keep themselves – and the whole of womankind – alive. They’ve got other ideas for their future, and it starts with a story…

This fearless new play, a co-production with Tamasha, is directed by their Artistic Director, Pooja Ghai (Lotus Beauty, Hampstead, Lions and Tigers, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) and written by Globe Resident Writer Hannah Khalil (The Fir Tree, Henry VIII, Globe), with contributions from Hanan al-Shaykh, Suhayla El-Bushra and Sara Shaarawi.

‘Look at her – plucked and waxed and creamed and painted. Ready for battle. For the inevitable.’

A co-production with

Text showing "Tamasha" as a logo

 

Content guidance: This production contains strong and sexual language, and themes of oppression and slavery. Please contact the ticketing team on 020 7401 9919 or [email protected] if you would like further details on the play’s content.

DETAILS

TICKETS
Galleries (Seating) £62 – £25
Standing £5

This event is on-site in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Running time approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes including a 20 minute interval

Please note this production is in English

Join the conversation  #Hakawatis

Terms and conditions
A £2.50 transaction fee per order applies online and over the telephone.

Part of Winter 2022/23

Photography: Johan Persson
Art Direction: Irene Omodeo Zorini
Typeface: Typeland

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Reviews (2022)

★★★★

‘Cheeky, charming, and gorgeously intimate’

THE ARTS DESK

★★★★

‘A wonderful show to bring light to a cold winter’s eve’

EVERYTHING THEATRE

★★★★

‘This whole show is an unqualified treat’

THE REVIEWS HUB

‘Fluent, witty and graceful’

THE GUARDIAN

‘Vibrant and enticing… authenticity permeates’

THE STAGE

Audience reactions

Rehearsal trailer (2022)

Meet the Women of the Arabian Nights

CAST & CREATIVES

Introducing the Hakawatis: Women of the Arabian Nights cast & creatives

MORE EVENTS IN WINTER 2022...

ACCESS

We provide Access Resources for Audio Described and Relaxed performances, these will be added in time for the first of each of those access performances and will be available for all performances after that date