What I liked
The sound design is excellent. Minimal, yet evocative. The pearl diving scene was so visceral, I cannot stop thinking about it! As a woman, I appreciated when Shahin portrayed female characters that he did not resort to stereotypes in an effort to show their femininity. Rather, his portrayal of the female characters in the narrative felt grounded, specific, and honest.
What I didn't like
Without discrediting any of Shahin’s work, I couldn’t help but wish this was an ensemble piece! It is extremely effective as a solo show, but I mean this as a compliment when I say the different characters within the narrative are distinct enough I could see them being portrayed by individual actors. Perhaps this is in the play’s future, perhaps not. Still a great piece overall.
My overall impression
Intimate, powerful, and inspiring, I was mesmerised by Shahin Sayadi’s performance from the very moment he walked on stage to the conclusion of our time together. Beautiful, poetic, and at times frightening and unexpected, this piece has piqued my curiosity in Iranian history and mythology. Through the specificity of his work, Shahin has created a piece that is relevant and relatable across cultures. I appreciated how open and vulnerable Shahin was with his audience, effortlessly connecting with us during key moments.
