A Night of Arabian Dreams
Date: 6 June 2026
Venue: The Playhouse Derry, 5-7 Artillery Street, Derry, County Derry, BT48 6RG
An enchanting, immersive Middle Eastern dance theatre experience
A Night of Arabian Dreams is an immersive dance theatre experience that transports audiences into a world of rhythm, storytelling, live percussion, and dreamlike imagery inspired by the richness of Arabic traditions.
Built as a story within a story, the performance journeys through themes of love, loss, longing, celebration, and joy through dance, music, and theatrical imagery.
Blending traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern dance forms with theatrical and contemporary movement, the production creates an atmosphere that is both intimate and evocative. Featuring local artists from Derry, including contemporary dancers and a live darbuka player, the work brings together different artistic voices within a shared theatrical space.
A Night of Arabian Dreams was previously presented during Culture Night at The MAC, where it received a full house and very positive audience response.
As part of the week's programme at The Playhouse, accompanying workshops will offer participants an introduction to the movement language, rhythms, and cultural context explored within the performance, creating a deeper connection between audience and stage experience.
Created and directed by Mar Decena, the production draws from years of experience in dance theatre, Middle Eastern dance, and cross-cultural performance practice.