Second part of two performances. More mature production, for adult audiences 12+. Khayaal will perform five short stories.

Storytelling theatre performances (running time 60-70mins) of a collection of tales of wisdom, wonder and humour from Muslim cultures and heritages on the theme of Friendship & Beauty. Below synopses of a few of the tales that would feature in the collection:

Quest for Knowledge

A young man applies to become an adept of a sage in pursuit of sacred knowledge only to find himself summarily charged with a seemingly simple task. The task becomes a toilsome trial of initiation that profoundly alters his perception of what it means to learn and know. A tale by Khwaja Sammasi of Uzbekistan.

The Artists

A Queen who lives in a palace among the mountains holds a competition between two artists. Each must create a great work of art. One artist struggles, tortured with anxiety. When the final work is revealed, the Queen and all her courtiers are left speechless with astonishment. A beautiful tale that explores the true meaning of art. A tale by Jalaluddin Rumi.

A Promise Fulfilled

Cast out for yielding to compassion, Hassan bereft and bedraggled is befriended by another homeless boy whose resolve and knowledge of signs and metaphors opens doors to fortune and fulfilment. A folktale from Palestine.

Please note that doors will close shortly before the advertised time, so we request that you arrive 15 minutes before the start time.

About The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts

The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts runs from 19 to 29 November 2026, bringing performances, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops to Cambridge's historic colleges, museums, and cultural spaces. Open to everyone, the festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of Islamic arts, and, fifty years on from the landmark 1976 World of Islam Festival, carries that spirit into our own time. Find out more at cfia.co.uk.

Description supplied by the event organiser.