MIDDLE Eastern folk tales are to be told in Oxford at a school drama production starting tonight.

Girls from Oxford High School will be performing the play Arabian Nights, by Dominic Cooke.

Head of drama Julie Bramall said: “It’s very colourful and very visual. It’s a lot of fun and very humorous.”

The teacher said the production involved about 100 girls, aged between 11 and 14.

She said textile students had helped create the costumes, music students were providing the music, and sixth-formers would be organising the show backstage.

She said: “The whole production is driven by the girls.

“It’s a fantastic way of interacting between year groups. A lot of friendships have been formed between the three years of the school.”

The performances take place at 7pm tonight, tomorrow and on Friday, in the Stephanie North Hall at the school in Belbroughton Road.

Hildie Leyser, 13, from Jericho, who plays slave girl Marjanah, said she was nervous but excited.

She said: “It’s really fun and everyone in the class has been really enthusiastic. You could see all the energy in the rehearsals from the very start.”

She added: “There are not only actors working on it. It’s a big collaboration.”

To buy tickets, priced £7, call the school on 01865 559888.