The Elephant (Aras)

Photo: Ali Ahmadi

Creation 2019

A site-based performance written, designed & directed by
Hossein Tavazoni-Zadeh

Introduction

Hosting only four participants for each performance, the work begins with each meeting one of the four performers at different defined locations in District 6 of Tehran. Walking towards an old mansion (belonging to the 1940s), each performer narrates his/her story of a young man called Ali Asghar whom they have accidentally met for a short period in different times. As the starting point of the second phase of the work, the four groups reach the building almost at the same time. Entering the mansion, the spectators are received as attendees to the lost friend's funeral, where the performers act as the hosts of this ceremony. 

During both parts of the performance, the walking tour in the historical neighbourhood and while exploring the mansion as participants of a funeral, the audience and the performers explore their memories of and nostalgia for Tehran. On this interactive-immersive ground, they are invited to jointly contemplate/question love, death, migration, and the sense of belonging to the homeland.

Cast
Makan Ashgevari, Aban Hosseinabadi, Amir Abbasian & Parastoo Ghorbani

Directing team
Parham RostamAbadi
Sara Raouf

Director Consultants:
Mohammad Mohaghegh Montazeri
Mahyar JavadiHa

Production Director
Ali Ahmadian

Awards and Nominations

35th Fadjr International Theater Festival (Alternative Theatre Section)