What I liked
What I admired most was Shahin’s performance itself. His ability to transform seamlessly from a father to a child to a woman was truly extraordinary. I especially loved the pauses he took before stepping into each character. Those moments felt so authentic, as if we were witnessing him genuinely enter the emotional and physical world of each person he portrayed.
Once he became each character, the performance was completely believable. Every transition felt honest, every emotion felt real, and nothing seemed forced or performative. What stayed with me most was the sincerity of his work; there was such a sense of truth and vulnerability in everything he did. I absolutely loved how genuine and deeply human his performance felt.
What I didn't like
N/A
My overall impression
I loved Ritual Music to Cure a Lover by Shahin because, to me, it was both a beautiful performance and a powerful act of activism. What moved me most was how Shahin used an ancient form of Iranian story to amplify the voices of young people. Standing alone on stage and carrying such a profound story by himself was truly remarkable.
Although the piece is rooted in Iranian history and tradition, its themes are universal. At its heart, the performance is about generational trauma and the ways in which pain and silence can be passed down through generations, if one dose not stop it. It also speaks to the importance of listening to new voices and recognizing that times are changing. Shahin’s ability to address these contemporary issues through an old story with tradition like this made the work feel deeply meaningful and relevant.
I also appreciated that flyers about mental health were available at the entrance my NAMI. That thoughtful gesture reinforced the themes of the production and showed a genuine care for the audience and the conversations the performance might spark, and the conversations after it, which are to come.
The staging itself was beautiful in its simplicity. The lighting, the shadows it created, and the minimal use of props, a shawl, and a chair were incredibly effective. Nothing felt excessive. Shahin’s presence alone was enough to fill the stage and bring the story to life.
What stayed with me most was the warmth of the piece. Despite its heavy themes, it offered hope. It was the kind of story that makes you feel seen and reminds you that healing is possible.
As someone from a neighboring country to Iran, I felt a special connection to this work. But I also believe that anyone who has been affected by generational trauma can relate to this story and find something meaningful in it. It was a beautiful, moving, and important piece of art.
