Modern Times Stage Company – Soheil Parsa and Brian Quirt’s Aurash

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Aurash is gripping theatre.

Co-adapters Soheil Parsa and Brian Quirt based their script on a character with roots in a 1000 years of Persian oral tradition. Like all myths and legends, there are universal truths embedded in the story.

Director Parsa’s Modern Times Stage Company creates original productions that are a dazzling fusion of poetic text and physical theatre. The language is elevated and recited with passion. The four talented actors not only portray specific characters, they also carry the narration.

The story is simple but the themes are rich. The borders of Persia will be set by an archer’s arrow shot from the highest mountain, and the hapless Aurash must carry out the deed. Aurash has never handled a bow in his life, and it is what happens to his arrow that is the stuff of legends.

Parsa’s staging is filled with memorable and haunting images, propelled by Richard Feren’s brilliant sound design.

Aurash continues at the Young Centre until May 29.

Aurash
Modern Times Stage Company
Translated and adapted by Soheil Parsa and Brian Quirt (from Bahram Beyza’ei)
Directed by Soheil Parsa
Starring Michelle Latimer, Christopher Morris, Ron Kennell and Martin Julien
Tank House Theatre, Young Centre, May 14 to 29, 2010
Photo Credit:Naire Bahjat
In Photo: (L-R) Christopher Morris, Ron Kennell, Michelle Latimer and Martin Julien