THE BOOK OF KINGS

No, nothing to do with the Old Testament. It's a Persian epic by Ferdowsi, three times as long as the Iliad, and composed at a time when the Normans [who were really Vikings] were still learning French, so between 977 and 1010 CE. It tells the story of Persia, the Age of Myth, the Age of Heroes, the Age of History, moving from Zoroastrianism to Islam with the Arab Conquest of 651.

Most of all, though, it's packed with stories. Love-stories. Heroic stories. Revenge. Monsters. Bravery. Treachery. Matthew Arnold took his epic poem Sohrab and Rustum from it in the 19th century. Surrounding countries, Georgia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Armenia pillaged it for tales and examples of heroism. Lavishly illustrated manuscripts were produced for all sorts of kings, emperors and princes.

Now, Madeleine Grantham has picked from its 50,000 couplets the stories of Bahram Gur, who is a historical figure to whom myths and legends have been appended. Adventure. Excitement. Novelty.

Come along and find out what it's all about on Thursday March 21st, starting at 7.30 at the Elm Tree, Hightown, Ringwood. Only a fiver for this widescreen epic!

Bahram Gur is entertained by musicians

Bahram Gur tramples Azadeh