Tale of the Sands from Tunisia
The first of a series of four short stories of #reflection #trust #healing and #deliverance in a time of quarantine on the journey of life from our Muslim heritage story trove. #TheatreWithoutWalls #QuarantineTales #RamadanPassage #SelfKnowledge #EssentialYou #EmbracingChange #Transitions #LifeJourneys#Transformation
Life and Death at the Spring
A Hausa Tale
Second of a series of four short stories of #reflection #trust #healing and #realisation in a time of quarantine on the journey of life from our Muslim heritage story trove. #TheatreWithoutWalls #Hausa #Wisdom #Reconciliation #Unity #Majesty #Beauty #Love #Peace #WestAfrica
Celebrate your Eid at Home with our treasure chest of tales by Rumi and Mulla Nasruddin plus bonus tales from Afghanistan and West Africa
Medley of Mulla Nasruddin exploits
The Grammarian and the Boatman by Rumi
Intelligence and Providence from Afghanistan
A Good Fortune in Camels from West Africa
Enjoy this theatrical experience of wisdom, wonder and wit with your family
Click here to be taken to Khayaal’s Youtube Channel
We are currently taking bookings for virtual performances of special collections of tales of wonder, wisdom and humour for Eid al-Fitr.
Contact us for more information.
Riding a Donkey Backwards & Other Tales from Muslim Literature
Available throughout 2020
Khayaal presents a riveting collection of wise and foolish tales from Muslim literature for family audiences. Featuring the incredibly quirky antics of Mulla Nasruddin (also known as Joha, Hodja and Affendi) an icon of Muslim humour, whose tales and riddles are the subject of its first award-winning children’s book, Riding a Donkey Backwards. The book is part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2020 dubbed Silly Squad.
Purchase the book Here
‘The Mulla dreamt that silver coins were being placed into his hand 7..8..9, then they stopped. Annoyed he shouted: “I must have 10!” waking himself up to find that all the coins had disappeared. Closing his eyes he went to sleep, he murmured, “All right, I’ll take the 9.’
For more fun, mirth and laughter, book a performance!
Running time 45-50 minutes.
A Theatre-without-Walls Project event supported by We Are Amal Aziz Foundation The Safera Foundation
Tales from Muslim Africa, 21st October 2019 at 5.30pm
Norton Rose Fulbright, London
Join us for humanitarian values tales of wisdom, wonder and humour from Muslim heritage this autumn.
Adults only. Free. Limited Seats. TICKETS HERE
Flight to Abyssinia
How The Negus, a Christian king of Africa, granted safe haven to a group of Muslims fleeing persecution in Mecca as narrated by Lady Umm Salama. Performed by Eleanor Martin.
On His Majesty's Service
A minstrel sings King Sabar of Sedo an unsettling tune on the theme of humility and service. An adaptation of a Wolof tale from Senegal. Performed by Sam Adams.
A Theatre-without-Walls Project event supported by We Are Amal Aziz Foundation The Safera Foundation
Photo: Peter Sanders Photography
Join us for tales of wisdom, wonder and humour from the Mathnawi of Jalauddin Rumi and from the inimitable exploits of Mulla Nasruddin at the Tramway in Glasgow on Sunday 28th July 2019. Tickets and more information
Showtimes: 11:00-11:30am | 2:00-2:30pm | 4:00-4:30pm
A Theatre-without-Walls Project event supported by We Are Amal Aziz Foundation The Safera Foundation
Midsummer Tales from the East at Norton Rose Fulbright, London
Mon 22nd July 2019, 17.45-20.30
Join us for tales of wisdom, wonder and humour from Muslim heritage this summer.
Tickets Here
Animals' Lawsuit Against Humanity
Long before glaciers were melting and temperatures were rising, a 9th century Muslim think tank Ikhwan Al Safa in Basra, Iraq wrote this tale about the animals of the world bringing humankind to trial over their reckless attitude towards nature and the earth. By Alia Alzougbi.
Peony Garden on Nanshan Mountain
A beautiful girl, a fish that wants to fly, and a questing youth all find an answer in the secret of a peony garden. Generosity and service find resonance in this exquisite rendition of a Muslim Hui tale from China. By Eleanor Martin.
A Theatre-without-Walls Project event supported by We Are Amal Aziz Foundation The Safera Foundation
Photos by Saleh Ahmed
Storytelling in Trafalgar Square for London’s Eid Festival 2019
Join us for tales of wisdom, wonder and humour from #MuslimHeritage at the Mayor of London's Eid Festival 2019 in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 8th June from 12-6pm. Look out for our marquee on the north terrace. Our fabulous cast of performers will share stories on the half hour throughout the day from #MullaNasruddin #Rumi #Nigeria #Yemen #India #Sudan #Afghanistan #Pakistan and beyond.
More information about the Eid Festival
A Theatre-without-Walls Project event supported by We Are Amal Aziz Foundation The Safera Foundation
A demon slaying heroine, a resilient cobbler, a punctilious baker, a bereaved youth and their respective supporting casts draw on a constellation of character virtues (e.g. courage, generosity, determination, hope, love , peace, etc.) to find meaning, purpose and success in their lives.
This collection of four wisdom tales from Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam explores humanitarian values common to all of the faith traditions inviting Key Stage 2 pupils or community audiences to identify, articulate and reflect on these values and their currency in and relevance to their lives. The stories are theatrically performed over 50 minutes followed by 10-15 minutes of conversation with options for extended engagement through games and exercises. This educational offering supports religious education, PSHE, citizenship, art & design and English strands of the KS2 national curriculum and is available for booking by schools nationally.
A Theatre-without-Walls Project event supported by We Are Amal Aziz Foundation
Muslim Heritage Stories
Celebrating the Islamic World at the British Museum on 19-20 Oct '18
- Free Entry -
On the special occasion of the opening of the Museum’s newest gallery – the Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world, we will be staging performances of tales of wonder, wisdom and humour from Malaysia, Sudan, Nigeria, Syria, Pakistan, the Uighur, #MullaNasruddin #Rumi and the #1001Nights iA.
Featuring artists Sam Adams, Alia Alzougbi, Waleed Elgadi, Lincoln James, Eleanor Martin, Jumana Moon, Mohammed Sesay and Alishan Ugur.
Fri 19th Oct, Room 17 - Nereid Gallery: 18:40-19:10 & 19:50- 20:20 (mature audiences)
Sat 20th Oct, The BP Lecture Theatre: 11:30-12:00, 13:00-13:30 and 15:00-15:30 (family audiences) Come and join us for a feast of imagination and beauty!
Returning to the British Museum for the first time since the critically acclaimed Hajj Exhibition 2012.
Part of Khayaal's Theatre-without-Walls Programme serving multi-sector audiences supported by Safera Foundation.
Photo Credits: Peter Sanders Photography & Saleh Ahmed
Graphic Design: Inspiral Design
Khayaal’s cast of three performance storytellers will captivate and transport Eid in the Square revellers with a feast of riveting tales from an array of Muslim cultures.
Come join us in our marquee on the north terrace on the hour and on the half hour throughout the day for laughter, wonder and reflection that will delight your hearts, minds and imaginations.
#EidLDN
Further information at
Riding a Donkey Backwards & Other Tales from Muslim Literature
Saturday, 28th April 2018 at 12:00pm - 13:00pm
Green Room, The British Library
96 Euston Road,
London
NW1 2DB
Tickets: £5
More Info: http://mfest.org/event/riding-a-donkey-backwards-other-tales-from-muslim-literature/
Stories of wonder, wisdom and humour from around the world for family audiences at Luton Central Library at 11am on Saturdays 10th February, 10th March and 14th April. For more information and to book tickets:
http://www.lutonculture.com/luton-libraries/whats-on/2018/02/10/storytelling-performance/2492/
Coming in April. For more information and to pre-order yours:
A promo trailer for our popular live 10 minute storytelling performance on the life and times of Ibn Khaldun that has been enjoyed by audiences at KPMG, Bank of England, Norton Rose Fulbright, Oxbridge Muslim Alumni and many more.
Christian Muslim Storytelling in Letchworth 18/11/2017
Part of our Theatre-without-Walls Project serving community audiences where they are supported by:
· Flight to Abyssinia
How the Negus, a Christian king, granted safe haven to the first Muslim community.
· The Sultan and The Saint
The story of St Francis and Sultan Al-Kamil of Egypt against the backdrop of the crusades.
(60 minute performance, Followed by 30-minute discussion)
Presented by Letchworth Islamic Society
To be performed by Eleanor Martin and Carl Tinnion, as part of Interfaith Week
At St Thomas Church Community Hall, 103 Bedford Road, Letchworth, SG6 4DU
On Saturday 18th November 2017, from 5pm to 7pm (doors open at 4.45pm)
To book tickets, text/call 07404 558259 - £8 adult ticket/£4 child ticket - Enquire for group and family tickets
Further info: nadiayr08@yahoo.co.uk
Supported by: Letchworth Festival, St Christopher School, St Thomas' of Canterbury 'Faith in Wilbury', Churches Together Letchworth & Hitchin
Photo Credit: ©Saleh Ahmed | Poster Credit: Inspiral Design
Christian Muslim Storytelling at Greenbelt Festival 26/08/17
Part of our Theatre-without-Walls Project serving community audiences where they are supported by:
We will be presenting Christian-Muslim Storytelling as part of Amal at Greenbelt Festival on 26th August to be performed by Eleanor Martin and Carl Tinnion.
· Flight to Abyssinia
How the Negus, a Christian king, granted safe haven to the first Muslim community.
· The Sultan and The Saint
The story of St Francis and Sultan Al-Kamil of Egypt against the backdrop of the crusades.
(60 minute performance, Followed by 30-minute discussion)
For more information click here.
Photo Credit: ©Saleh Ahmed | Poster Credit: Inspiral Design
Photo Credit: ©Saleh Ahmed | Poster Credit: City Retreat, Leicester
Part of our Theatre-without-Walls Project serving community audiences where they are supported by:
Tales from Muslim Lands
15th April, 17:00-19:00
City Retreat, Leicester
Click here to purchase tickets on Eventbrite
...
I. Jesus Christ: A Storytelling Performance
A dark night. The kingdom of a cruel king. In a sacred temple, a woman preparing for worship lights a lamp only to be startled by a much brighter light. An angel conveys the heavenly news of a blessed child: Jesus, peace be upon him.
A reverent and atmospherically rich performance of the story of the prophet known as the Spirit of God follows, from his miraculous birth to his glorious ascension.
Khayaal’s Easter storytelling offering presents an episodic account of the life of Prophet Isa (as).
II. Baha & The Golden Sparrow
By rescuing a golden sparrow on the slopes of Jing Mountain, Baha sets off a sequence of life-changing encounters with heaven and hell in her bid to discover true love. Exploring themes of manipulation and desperation, this classic tale from Muslim China features in Khayaal’s one-woman play entitled Sun & Wind described by BBC Radio 4 as ‘powerful’.
III. Quest for Knowledge
A young man applies to become an adept of a sage in pursuit of sacred knowledge only to find himself summarily charged with a seemingly simple task. The task becomes a toilsome trial of initiation that profoundly alters his perception of one it means to learn and know. A tale on the theme of orientation, charity and service by Khwaja Sammasi of Uzbekistan.
Jesus Christ - Prophet Isa alayhissalam - Storytelling Performance by Khayaal Theatre Company with Q&A
Join us on Sunday afternoon @ Rumi's Cave for an inspiring storytelling performance by Khayaal Theatre Company. Bring children,friends and family!
Date: 11th December 2016
Admission: 2:45pm
Performance Start: 3pm
Running time 30 -35 minutes
Booking Fee: £10 via eventbrite or pay on the door. Half price for children. *Free for under 5.
Address: Rumi's Cave 26 Willesden Lane, NW6 7ST
STORIES OF WONDER AND WISDOM FROM RUMI - Storytelling Performance by Khayaal Theatre Company with Q&A
Join us on Sunday afternoon @ Rumi's Cave for an inspiring storytelling performance by Khayaal Theatre Company. Bring children, friends and family!
Date: 13th November 2016
Admission: 2:45pm
Performance Start: 3pm
Booking Fee: £10 via eventbrite or pay on the door.
We are delighted to be sharing performances of stories from Muslim literature for families at Bucks County Museum's The Art of Islam Festival as follows:
Sat 9th April at 2pm @ Bucks County Museum, Aylesbury
For more info and to book visit: http://www.buckscountymuseum.org/…/al-khayaal-theatre-comp…/
Sat 16th April at 2pm @ Milton Keynes Library
For more info and to book visit: http://www.buckscountymuseum.org/…/al-khayaal-theatre-comp…/
Sat 23rd April at 3pm @ High Wycombe Library
For more info and to book visit: http://www.buckscountymuseum.org/…/al-khayaal-theatre-comp…/
Performances will start promptly and last for 45-50 minutes. The stories are pitched to mixed age family audiences. Photo credit © Saleh Ahmed
We will also be delivering drama workshops for select secondary schools in July as part of the festival.
Eleanor Martin
Eleanor is a professional actress and stage director with mainstream TV and film credits and has performed as a storyteller for the past 15 years. She employs a dramatic and physical multi-character role-playing performance style that has been described by audiences as mesmerising and imaginatively and spiritually nourishing and inspiring. She specialises in telling stories from Muslim heritage with a contemporary twist. Her recent engagements include Bristol University, SOAS, LSE, Mehria Primary School, Bank of England and Hastings Storytelling Festival. She is also a theatre-in-education specialist and a founding Associate Director of Khayaal Theatre Company.
Carl Taylor
Over the last 10 years as a teacher and trainer, Carl has utilised storytelling in communication. He desires to make stories come alive to such a degree that they open up and reveal deeper truths. Regularly using his experience in communication within the charitable sector. Carl utilises creative forms of communication including storytelling and theatre, in order to help people develop confidence in telling their own stories. He seeks to help narrative art forms flourish in all kinds of arenas and to encourage new dialogues to emerge across different cultures and faiths.