Amid the sand, the sun and the storms is one woman's nightly struggle for life played out on stage, as Scheherazade avoids the fate befalling the former wives of her royal husband.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So goes the production of Wagga High School's annual end-of-year musical.
This year, the school has opted to bring The Arabian Nights to the stage, to tell the story of Scheherazade's daily escape from execution at the hands of the Sasanian king, Shahryar.
"The story is based on the book, 1001 Nights," said Cheryl Walker, head of creative and performing arts at the school.
Having volunteered to marry the king, Scheherazade is aware that her life hangs in the balance, as each of the former wives has lasted one night as the king's wife before their execution in the morning.
"She uses storytelling to prevent the executioner from being called every morning," Ms Walker said.
"She's clever, she leaves the story on a cliff hanger so that he has to wait for the next morning to hear the next part. Over the days, their love grows."
The production involves up to 140 students from across years seven to 12.
While a majority will serve as cast members and dancers on stage, the production's lighting, sound, sets and costumes have also all been provided through the efforts of its students.
Dancers and actors from all year groups, including the school's support unit classes, will bring Scheherazade's stories to life on stage, as she tells the story each morning.
It was this element that attracted Ms Walker and her fellow creative teachers to the original work.
"We loved the storytelling," Ms Walker said.
"The stories are Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Sinbad the Sailor, The Fisherman and the Genie, and The Bull and the Ass."
Related:
Wednesday begins the performance schedule with a matinee to be given to Wagga's primary schools first.
The performance is something of a break from tradition from the school, where in years gone by the end-of-year play has been co-written by staff members and students.
"In the past, we'd come up with a theme and integrate music and a story," Ms Walker said.
"It worked for our school to have dancers, musicians and actors practising on their own before bringing it all together.
"But we wanted to make this show more cohesive, and we're really proud that we've built that sense of community this year."
It has taken seven weeks to bring rehearsals to their current conclusion, with all students working together on and off stage to be confident for opening night.
"That's what's special every year, the interaction between the year groups, it's something you just don't get in the playground or the classroom," Ms Walker said.