Sara Amini writes, co-directs and stars in Saria Callas, a new show described as a “sexy, camp, pop-filled multimedia production” exploring the taboo of women’s voices and generational shifts in gender identity, coming to Camden People’s Theatre in May.
From Seemia Theatre (Evros | The Crossing River) comes this production led by Amini – an Iranian artist, classically trained singer and Seemia’s artistic director – that blends fact and fiction, drawing on her own personal lived experiences to unpack the intersectional grey area of what life is like for women in terms of support, survival and self-expression.
Growing up in Tehran, Sara always dreamed of becoming a singer. But since Iran’s 1979 revolution, women have been banned from singing in public – a restriction that remains in place today. Now in London, as Sara raises her child who is questioning their gender identity, she finds herself navigating new kinds of social pressure – and unspoken fears – as a parent. What does it mean to raise your voice when history has taught you to be silent? And how can someone who has fought for their own rights, then stand in the way of someone else’s freedom?
The show sees Amini, already a bottle of red in, reminisce about her experiences of childhood to womanhood and Tehran, the school-bus parties, the wannabe prayer-caller and the secret w**ks at the all-girls’ school.
Meanwhile, the show also confronts the wider global erosion of women’s rights. One particular sequence finds Sara facing an unwanted pregnancy while living in Poland, where access to abortion is severely restricted, and is forced to cross borders to seek basic healthcare.
By reflecting on the oppression of women, non-binary & trans people, Saria Callas invites audiences to consider how state control over people’s bodies manifests across cultures and borders, from Tehran to Warsaw, Paris to London, and the world over.
Joining Amini in the creative team are co-director Manuel Lavandera, associate director & producer Robin Paley Yorke, set & costume designer Mana Sadri Irani, video director Elahe Esmaili, lighting designer Ali Hunter, sound design by Parham Bahadoran and Babak Rezvani, and dramaturgy by Charli Cowgill and Laurie Ward.
The show plays at Camden People’s Theatre from May 6-17 (except May 12) before shifting to Glasgow in May.
Tickets: https://cptheatre.co.uk/
Images: Saria Callas. Photo courtesy of Harry Elletson (supplied)