Plot Summary
Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter, and his son Hassan discover the robbers’ treasure cave. His brother Kassim learns the secret but creates trouble for Ali and himself when he goes back to the cave for more loot and is caught by the gang. They both escape but the gang go to Baghdad bent on revenge. Youthful ingenuity in the form of Morgiana, Ali’s servant, finally saves the day.
ISBN 1 904930 65 4

"He has created a great pantomimic plot, faithful to the original tale, but fresh and fun-filled ... This Ron Nicol version should prove popular fare this coming Christmas season." - Amateur Stage, June 2006

CAST 3 MALE 4 FEMALE 7 M/F PARTS
MAIN PARTS
Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter Hassan, his son Morgiana, his servant Kassim, his brother Fatima, Kassim's wife Karioki, Kassim's servant Chief Thief	THIEVES Hanki Panki Kitty Will Jilly Dilly Wally

4 MAIN SETS
Production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested.

Script Sample - The Forty Thieves?

Hanki (to the audience) Now then, you lot. I don’t want any trouble out of you. Step out of line and I’ll set the thieves on you. All forty of 'em. They’ll strike terror and foreboding in your hearts. Don’t believe me? Right then, watch this. (Loudly) We are the Forty Thieves!

Panki leaps out - alone

Panki Aha! (embarrassed) Oops! Where are they? Where’s all the rest?
Hanki This is it.
Panki Me?
Hanki You.
Panki Just me?
Hanki Just you.
Panki I’m supposed to strike terror and foreboding in their hearts?
Hanki Yup.
Panki It’s a bit pathetic, isn’t it?
Hanki I can’t help that. You’re one of the Forty Thieves now, so make the best of it.
Panki Are you sure? Forty? (He counts to two - with some difficulty) Two. I can only see two. Who says we’re the Forty Thieves?
Hanki Everybody. (Gestures to the audience) They do.
Panki Do they?
Hanki Of course they do.
Panki Are you sure?
Hanki Yes. Go on - ask them.
Panki I can’t.
Hanki Why not?
Panki (shyly) I’m shy.
Hanki You? Shy?
Panki Yes - I’m not very big for my size.
Hanki (pushes him) Go on.
Panki Er - excuse me - um - are we called the Forty Thieves?

Ad lib depending on reaction. It’ll be ‘Yes’ we hope! Perhaps somebody could appear with a cue card saying ‘Yes’

Hanki See! They know all about it. It’s a story. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
Panki Who’s Ali Baba?
Hanki How should I know. I haven’t read it.
Panki You haven’t read it? How do you know what happens next?
Hanki I don’t. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Panki Make it up as we go along…
Hanki Something like that.
Panki If I’d known there was only me I wouldn’t’ve joined. I could’ve been in Big Brother, you know. I’ve auditioned for Pop Idol as well.
Hanki That’s just it, isn’t it? Advertise for people to make fools of themselves on a TV reality show and you can’t move for applicants. Try to get forty thieves and you’re wasting your time. It’s the same everywhere. Nobody wants to learn a trade. No new blood. The old ones just have to keep things going. It’s Robin Hood and his Grumpy Old Pensioners now. He can’t get merry men for love or money.

from Ali Baba & The Seven Thieves, Act 1 Scene 1

Script details

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