Dorr-e Dari: A Poetic Crash Course In The Language Of Love

“Take a crash course in love and Persian poetry” is how Powerhouse Youth Theatre Fairfield describe this unusual dramatic fare by three western Sydney artists of Afghan background, Mahdi Mohammadi, Bibi Goul Mossavi and Jawad Yaqoubi.

I asked Mahdi Mohammadi what Dorr-e Dari means and how and why was it conceived?

“Dorr-e Dari means “the Pearl of Dari.” Dari is the form of Persian that I grew up speaking in Afghanistan. Dari speakers think of their language and literature as a precious pearl, something you have to keep in your heart and pass down from generation to generation, like the songs my mother sang for me as a child.

“We wanted to share with audiences here in Australia how beautiful this culture is and how Persian poetry can enrich every part of your life.”

Mohammadi describes how they overcome the barriers of language and culture to present the show to English-speaking audiences?

“The show is fully bilingual. We have a lot of fun playing with the role of the translator who also comments on the action. And the stories that we act out are full of easily recognisable situations, like a real-life love story between a Tajik girl and a Hazara boy… meeting at midnight, on the roof of their neighbouring homes, by the light of the moon… it’s worse than Romeo and Juliet! There’s also a beautiful immersive video design that moves between the world of medieval illuminated manuscripts and contemporary street life from Kabul and Auburn. So, it’s a feast for ears and eyes.”

Jan 20-24. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh. $39+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.carriageworks.com.au