The Elephant (Aras)
Photo: Ali Ahmadi
Creation 2019
A site-based performance written, designed & directed by
Hossein TavazoniZadeh
Cast
Makan Ashgevari
Aban Hosseinabadi
Amir Abbasian
Parastoo Ghorbani
Directing team
Parham RostamAbadi
Sara Raouf
Director Consultants:
Mohammad Mohaghegh Montazeri
Mahyar JavadiHa
Painting
Mahoor Mirshakkak
Graphic
Saeed Vakili
Photo
Ali Ahmadi
Audiovisual Consultant
Mohammed Asadi
Production Director
Ali Ahmadian
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.
Awards and Nominations
35th Fadjr International Theater Festival (Alternative Theatre Section)
The Best Play Award (Hossein TavazoniZadeh)