Arabian night of surprise

Arabian Nights

Courtyard Theatre

Stratford

There's a Coronation Street reunion in Dominic Cooke's dazzling Christmas show for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Ayesha Dharker and Harvey Virdi, better known as the daughter and mother bedded by Dev, the shopkeeper in Corrie, are part of a huge cast, most taking many parts as the ancient Arabic tales unfold.

Dharker is Shahrazad, the beautiful bride married to King Shahrayar (Silas Carson) who would be the perfect husband if only he didn't chop off the heads of his brides on the day after each wedding.

To distract the king, and thus save the lives of thousands more brides, Shahrazad tells him stories. And off we go on a breathless, glittering treat of music, dance, puppetry and magical tricks.

The dismemberings and man-swallowing stones were a tad strong for some younger children who were led out, but the Courtyard erupted with laughter at the tale of How Abu Hassan Broke Wind, proving that, whatever the culture, you can't go wrong with a good fart joke.

There were some beautiful moments, as when Es-Sindibad was carried of by the giant bird, a puppet created by half the cast.

And some surprises. I defy anyone not to be a little shocked when Sidi (Amit Shah) discovers The Wife Who Wouldn't Eat (Jane Leaney), is actually devouring corpses in the graveyard.

Not your typical festive show but great fun.

By Peter Rhodes.