Arabian Nights – The 2026 Junior Play

No fewer than thirty-four – yes, you read that right, thirty-four – Third and Fourth (see what they did there?) Form pupils created and delivered a powerful and memorable retelling of the timeless Arabian Nights for this year’s Junior Play.

A vivid array of tales was told with precision, clarity and variety of voice, drawing us in through the frame story, then conjuring each successive episode, with energy and commitment. Complementing and enlivening the diction, the physicality of the performances was wonderful: always expressive, often humorous (some extraordinary faces pulled!) but at other times, too, appropriately poignant.

All human emotions are writ large here – and in the boldest of primary colours. Above all, this production seeped theatricality, the cast working fluently as an ensemble, conjuring story and encouraging imagination through creative use of stage and space – properly immersive theatre.

An array of standout solo performers carried the weight of their parts with confident, captivating narration; notwithstanding this was a slickly rehearsed and committed team production in which every performer was a crucial cog, working flat out to achieve the effect of the whole.

The audience – everyone from Dorset House Year 5s (“we loved it!”) to seasoned Sixth Form thespians (“real class”) – was held enthralled thanks to fearless, at times impassioned, and always spirited, performances ably supported by every member of the production team, from programme design to technical assistant.

Hats off to Mr Chandler’s atmospheric lighting, and of course to Mrs Gerstmeyer’s deft direction of such a large cast to create a transporting, enchanting piece. An inspiring evening’s theatre and absolute triumph!

M J H Smith
Director of Drama