Arabian Nights production coming at RRHS May 24-25th

By Laura Armistead
RRHS teacher

This is a traditional Arabic greeting which means; Hello; Peace upon you. Expect to hear this and a few other Arabian sayings when you attend this year’s Owl Theatre performance.
Twenty-seven high school students make up the cast of 1001 Arabian Nights, Rainy River High School’s dramatic production. The production features the stories of: Aladdin, Ali Baba and Sinbad the Sailor. The plays are humorous, fast-paced and entertaining. Included in this spectacular production will be three dance numbers. Laura Mason and Jennelle Lowes, teachers, have choreographed the dance of veils, belly dancing and the very dangerous sword dance. The sword dance is performed with real scimitars (the traditional Arabic sword). The dances are colourful, graceful and beautiful to watch.
The play will be performed at RRHS for over 200 elementary and junior high students in a matinee on Wednesday, May 23. Evening public performances are Thursday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. and a dinner theatre evening on Friday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m. The dinner is Moroccan chicken (chicken stew), couscous (a rice like pasta), rice, green salad, hummus, pita bread and baklava (phyllo pastry with honey and nuts) and fruit. The dinner is being catered by Georgina Jarvis, teacher, and her ever faithful dinner committee.
The long anticipated performance comes after a one year sabbatical. This year the production boasts an extended stage, elaborate sets, fancy costumes and an actual boat on stage. The play is written, produced and directed by drama teacher, Laura Armistead. Regular actors: Josh Wilson, Mark Singleton and Sarah Palm are assistant student directors as well as lead actors. Graduating student Ethan Swentik makes his acting debut as the Sultan and a very loud Cyclops. Carling Nordin, seasoned actor from It’s All Greek to Me and Journey to the East is the schizophrenic Genie. James McInerney plays the lazy boy, Aladdin. Mark Singleton is the foolish Ali Baba in a diaper and Josh Wilson plays the swarthy captain Sinbad.
The Arabian Nights is a collection of 1,100 year-old Indian, Persian and Arabic stories narrated by the bride Scheherezade (sh-hair-a-zad), played by Sarah Palm, who is trying to save herself from her murderous husband. She keeps him entertained with these tales for 1001 nights so he will spare her life. Note: the tales in these plays are based on the folktales in the original book. These are not the Disney versions.
Tickets are available at Susan’s Corner Store, Rainy River Drugs and at the high school Friday’s dinner theatre has limited seating and is almost sold out. Tickets for Friday will only be reserved if they are paid for in advance. Please contact the school for further information (852-3284). The students are looking forward to seeing you in the audience.