Marking the return of the company to London for the first time since their critically-acclaimed production of Two Thousand and One Nights in 2003, Zayed and The Dream showcases an historic and epic journey in to the heart of the Arabian Desert.

Combining history with art, it follows the legendary story of seven horsemen travellers on a remarkable journey. They will search for the one who will leave his mark on the Arabian Desert and carve his name as a humanitarian and hero of civilisation.

Zayed and the Dream is commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage. The ADACH is an institution that contributes to the strengthening of dialogue and the appreciation of different culture by developing projects that encourage the sharing of heritage and traditions. It is playing a remarkable role in the Middle Eastern region by creating outstanding cultural and artistic events and restoring and protecting heritage, making Abu Dhabi a pioneer for the region and positioning the Emirate amongst the leading cities of the world.

Caracalla is an internationally-acclaimed dance company and has built their own bridge between East and West. Indeed Zayed and The Dream culminates in 100 artists taking their place on the stage, bringing together performers from China, Spain, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates. Caracalla's own story is equally amazing; training against the hostage situation of the 1980s, thriving despite the turmoil of the Lebanese War, where all conflicting political factions found a common unity and came together in agreement that Caracalla is the cultural image of Lebanon and the Arab world. Caracalla is now working with companies and performers from across the world to take their place as the leading dance company in the Middle East and recognised on the international stage.

The company’s founder, Abdel-Halim Caracalla, is a legendary figure. Caracalla founded the company in 1970. He envisioned creating a new language in dance that merged Western and Oriental techniques, having studied at the London School of Contemporary Dance, specialising in the style of Martha Graham, in the 1960s. With over 14 productions since 1968, he has taken his company to perform in major cities and theatres around the world including Paris, London’s Sadler’s Wells and at Washington DC’s Kennedy Centre, as well his successful tour of Two Thousand and One Nights. Caracalla continues to be the artistic director of the company and is supported by his equally creative children: Alissar who is the company’s choreographer and Ivan who is a director. Zayed and The Dream is choreographed and directed by them respectively.