What I liked
My favorite section of the show was when the eggs came out! As a person who knew nothing about Nowruz, I appreciated learning a little bit about how Persian’s celebrate their New Year. Additionally, as a history person, I liked learning more about both the Iranian and Irish people.
Make no mistake, this piece is timely given what is currently happening in the world. In a world that wants to separate us more, this show is a gentle tale of coming together.
What I didn't like
The director in me feels that some structure and additions can make this show more magical. While the early banter about flatulence, anecdotes, sleep, and the “Long Way to Tipperary” song are meant to give character insight, for me, they lacked depth, went on too long, and felt redundant.
Even the most loving of pieces need some conflict for the audience. What I crave to know is how this couple met, what (if any) obstacles did they encounter coming together? Was there any kind of culture clash? The more vulnerable the actors/performers are with the audience, the more the audience will root for them.
Also, given the show’s title, I wanted more explanation about the eggs. Why is it PARAMOUNT to celebrate Nowruz with eggs? Do they have to be painted with specific images? If so, why? If not, how does a person decide what to paint?
Perhaps expanding on the section about cognitive dissonance would also be worth investigating.
My overall impression
In Edward Mulryne’s and Sahar Yousefi’s play, Eggs, they share a story about a couple trying to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year with a long-distant parent reachable by FaceTime. While the show is told via the viewpoints of characters Eamon and Shaparak, the story might equally be pertaining to the relationship between Edward and Sahar.
Certain questions come up: In a country full of immigrants, why is it so difficult to feel a sense of belonging? How is space created to respect each others’ customs and cultures?
This hour-long, two-hander offers a taste of two people from different worlds who honor their common bonds as much as their individual uniqueness.
