Watch part two

Riz Khan explores the personal history and motivation of a man who has kept Arabian theatre alive on a scale not seen anywhere else in the Middle East, with huge, colourful productions featuring live horses, and massive projections.

Born in Baalbeck – formerly Heliopolis – in the Bekaa Valley, Abdel-Halim Caracalla went from being the Lebanese and Arab pole-vaulting champion, to master dancer and choreographer, winning accolades from Middle Eastern leaders for keeping the culture and traditions of the region vibrant and alive.

He has met and mingled with leading figures in politics, business and the arts, who all attend his sold-out shows.

Abdel-Halim Caracalla's son, Ivan, and daughter, Alissar, now help to keep the theatre innovative and energetic, taking Arab culture and history to every corner of the world.

This episode of One On One airs from Saturday, June 6, 2009, at the following times GMT: Saturday at 0130 and 1630; Sunday at 0430 and 2330; and Monday at 0300 and 1230.