Arabia, Arabia! (or; How to be Forgotten) by Alexander Utz

FULL LENGTH: It's 1761. Five researchers have been selected by the Danish government to travel to the Arabian peninsula, to "Happy Arabia." But the journey isn't as happy as its destination. The doctor is incompetent, the botanist is elitist, and the linguist has enough arsenic to kill them all. And that's hardly the worst of it. When the Narrator appears and tries to save the...
FULL LENGTH: It's 1761. Five researchers have been selected by the Danish government to travel to the Arabian peninsula, to "Happy Arabia." But the journey isn't as happy as its destination. The doctor is incompetent, the botanist is elitist, and the linguist has enough arsenic to kill them all. And that's hardly the worst of it. When the Narrator appears and tries to save the expedition from certain failure, the researchers begin to realize that their story may not belong to them anymore.
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Arabia, Arabia! (or; How to be Forgotten)

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend:
    4 Feb. 2021
    “ This play about a real-life Danish expedition to the Arabian peninsula is told in such a unique way! Historically, all but one of the characters die, but our Narrator finds a book about the expedition and, upon opening it, becomes part of the story and tries to change the course of history (flipping forward in the story every so often to see how well they're doing). A fast, fun reimagining of an expedition and a group of people I had never heard of, with a perfect ending as we learn why the Narrator is so invested in this tale. ”
  • Edward Thomas-Herrera:
    8 Jan. 2021
    “ Funny and fast-paced, this is a show I’d love to see on stage. Who knew the King of Denmark funded an expedition to Arabia? I certainly didn’t. And whereas I wouldn’t consider this satirical history anything like a documentary, it certainly has a lot to say about how the West regards the non-European world and vice versa. ”
  • Sawyer Quinn Brown:
    25 Dec. 2020
    “ This play is a trip (literally). It's quick, witty, and surprising. I adore the character of the Narrator, who plays so many roles and seems to somehow control and yet not control the plot. Funny all the way through with a bittersweet ending. Excellently done. ”

Character Information

  • NARRATOR
    20s-50s,
    Middle-Eastern
    ,
    Woman or non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • NIEBUHR
    20s-30s,
    Woman or non-binary
    An astronomer. Hardworking, understated.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • FORSSKAL
    20s-40s,
    Man or Nonbinary
    A botanist. Determined, arrogant.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • VON HAVEN
    20s-40s,
    Man or Nonbinary
    A linguist. Lazy, arrogant.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • BAURENFEIND
    20s-40s,
    Woman or non-binary
    An artist. Jovial, talented, drunk.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • KRAMER
    20s-40s,
    Man or Nonbinary
    A doctor. Incompetent.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary

Development History

Production History

Awards

Finalist
,
Normal Ave Playwriting Series
,
2019