Pahlevan Kachal (The Bald Hero) – Adelaide Fringe 2011
Presented by Apple Tree Puppet Company
Reviewed Sunday 20 February 2011
http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au
http://www.gardenofunearthlydelights.com.au
http://www.puppetpalace.com.au
http://www.appletreegroup.ir
Venue: Puppet Palace, The Garden of Unearthly Delights, Rundle Park, Adelaide
Season: 20, 22-25 Feb, 1-6, 8-13 Mar at 7pm
Tickets: $12.00/$10.00
Duration: 35 mins
Bookings: FringeTix 1300 FRINGE (374 643) or http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au
Iran’s all-female puppetry troupe present this traditional Persian folktale for the first time in Adelaide. The members of the troupe are all sisters, making this a family affair both on and off stage.
The multi-lingual presentation defies the target age range however. They simply can’t follow the plot, making it more suitable for an older audience.
Dressed in beautiful ethnic outfits, three of the sisters sit front of the stage, two on instruments and the other narrating and translating with a tambourine in hand. The forth is the puppeteer, providing squeaky voices for all the characters.
Together, we learn from Sultan Salim Khan, the King of India, that his daughter has been kidnapped by ghouls. Playful servant Mobarak refuses to let us call to our hero initially and we meet several zany characters before Pahlevan finally appears.
Pahlevan is greedy for money and only accepts the quest after being bribed. He travels to the Ghaff Mountain, fighting the demons and ultimately rescuing the Princess and taking her hand in marriage.
The play is accompanied by music and song, which all sound great but offer little value for those who can’t understand the lyrics.
Despite the difficulties in translation, the characters and audience participation are what give this show a lift and the cultural boost to the Puppet Palace is coup.
Be prepared to talk your young ones through it.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis, Performing Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide.
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