Arabia, Arabia!

by Alexander Attea

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...

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!

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: Arabia, Arabia!

    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.

    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: Arabia, Arabia!

    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.

    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: Arabia, Arabia!

    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.

    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

  • NIEBUHR
    An astronomer. Hardworking, understated.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Gender Identity
    Woman or non-binary
  • NARRATOR
    Character Age
    20s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Middle-Eastern
    Character Gender Identity
    Woman or non-binary
  • FORSSKAL
    A botanist. Determined, arrogant.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
    Character Gender Identity
    Man or Nonbinary
  • VON HAVEN
    A linguist. Lazy, arrogant.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
    Character Gender Identity
    Man or Nonbinary
  • BAURENFEIND
    An artist. Jovial, talented, drunk.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
    Character Gender Identity
    Woman or non-binary
  • KRAMER
    A doctor. Incompetent.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
    Character Gender Identity
    Man or Nonbinary

Development History

Production History

Awards

  • Normal Ave Playwriting Series
    Finalist
    2019