Honestly, I have never seen anything like Mysterious Gifts: Theatre of Iran, an amazing new production by the Seattle Children's Theatre. My 10-year-old son and I went expecting an hour or so of Iranian folk dance, wondering if we'd be itching to leave after 10 minutes.
Far from that expectation, we were mesmerized and enthralled by the depth of storytelling possible without words, through the power of movement.
The show begins with performance artist and director Yaser Khaseb bringing those folk dances we were counting on to magical life. With his powerfully pumping legs, simple props, beguiling smile and ability to move seamlessly between his portrayal of joy and sorrow and danger, Khaseb literally brought us into the heart of the dance. In fact, I turned at one point to see my son reaching out in just the way the dancer did, as if he was being beckoned on stage.
In a brilliant second act piece, Khaseb employs a puppet to literally turn his body into two people – two children tussling and fighting and hoping they haven't gone too far. This amazing round of storytelling moves a masked Khaseb into physical positions that seem impossible for any human, and yet appear so natural that you rethink human capability. The piece is funny, tragic, scary and a strangely familiar account of childhood.
“As a child, I loved puppets and I loved to express myself through one puppet I had all through my childhood,” says Khaseb. “The puppet I had as a child was like this one and it was all the time with me. This piece came out of that attachment I had, as only a child can have.”
As if this stunning performance wasn't enough to lead table conversation at our house for the next week, Khaseb's third and final piece in the show left us with our jaws dropped in our laps. Its beauty, physicality and story was performed so powerfully we jumped to our feet in ovation before it was even finished.
“Mud” is the story of a sculpture. The artist's shop, with all its mud and sponges and mess, is center stage, creating a gooey gray backdrop to the unfolding story. In a nutshell, a sculpture is “carved” out of mud and comes to life. The connection and tension between sculpture and art – all created through movement and dance – brings to mind Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. And yet, with an incredible sense of comedy and mirth, this Frankenstein is one we can all imagine creating. The performance had me recalling hours spent as a child molding clay, willing it to turn into the bird or dog I wanted it to be. There are no words to adequately describe the power of this piece. Two come to mind, though they seem insubstantial: mind blowing.
The show is recommended for children ages 10 and up, but the audience was filled with younger children who certainly appeared both caught up in the dance and appreciative of the work.
Cheryl Murfin is a freelance writer and Communications Director for the progressive advocacy group Fuse. She lives in Seattle with her children.
IF YOU GO
Where: Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St., Seattle.
When:Through Oct. 11.
Age: Recommended for ages 10 and up (but younger may enjoy).
