Memoirs of an Arabian Princess
from Zanzibar
The Princess is herself a woman of high culture, and the story of her life is as instructive as history and as fascinating as fiction.” -Oscar Wilde
Born Salamah bint Said, Princess of Zanzibar, in 1844, Emily Reute's life was one of extraordinary contrasts. Raised in a royal harem among dozens of siblings, she lived in a world of opulence sustained by the lucrative trade in ivory, spices—and enslaved people. Despite her cloistered upbringing, the young princess often ventured beyond the palace walls into the city streets and surrounding plantations, where she witnessed the increasing presence of European missionaries, traders, and colonists.
It was during these excursions that she met Rudolph Reute, a handsome, German merchant. In a bold and controversial move, she eloped with him to
Germany, where she later converted to Christianity and adopted the name Emily Reute. Living in Europe gave her a unique vantage point from which to compare the roles and expectations of women in Muslim and Western societies.
Originally published in 1886, her memoir has now been adapted for the stage by Waterfall Productions. In this compelling theatrical presentation, audiences will meet Princess Salamah/Emily Reute and journey through her remarkable life—as a royal daughter, daring outcast, devoted wife, grieving widow, and resilient mother—set against the backdrops of Zanzibar and Germany.
65 minute performance with small set,
printed programs for audience and talk-back afterwards.
Ages 12 & up.
Appropriate for:
- March-Women's History Month
- Women's Groups or events
- Libraries
- Colleges
- Book Clubs
- Students of Arabic, Islam, women studies
- Those interested in Zanzibar & East Africa History
"Rita Parisi, as the Arabian Princess of Zanzibar, created a fascinating performance for our Middlesex Institute of Lifelong Education. We not only time travelled through history and different countries and cultures but we also entered the mind and heart of this beautiful princess who crossed so many borders. Thank you for bringing her memoir to life. We hope to have you return to MILE with another production next year."
-Augusta Gonzalez, MILE Middlesex Community College
"Many thanks for bringing the Arabian princess to our stage...it's a wonderful piece in addition to being so very timely. We were transported into a world of wonders and stirring human drama."
-Marc Clopton, Artistic Director
Actors Studio of Newburyport MA
"I am very happy and grateful for your efforts to portray the life and memoirs of my grand aunt, The Princess of Oman and Zanzibar Sayyida Salamah bint Said bin Sultan Al Busaid later Frau Emily Reute...I wish you every success in bringing my grand aunt to the stage.
-Hamoud K Al Said, Great grandson of Sultan Ali bin Said of Zanzibar, the elder brother of Princess Salamah
