Crown, The Old Electric, February 23

Scheherazade's Crown promised an immersive journey to discover the concept of home within ourselves, blending classical Persian dance, contemporary movement and Sufi expression. The performance seamlessly intertwined with an evocative original soundtrack, skillfully fusing classical and elements of electronica, live and recorded music, and expert sound engineering.

Dancers Ghazal Seidi, Regine Phua and Ayesha Fazal became storytellers, sharing their personal narratives through captivating movements. The musical accompaniment by Ala Zarei on the setar and drummer Anis Alichi, masterfully curated by sound designer and composer Somatic (Somin Griffin-Dave), provided a rich auditory experience. The performance skillfully navigated the complexities of displacement, identity and body sovereignty, particularly shedding light on the challenges faced by the Iranian diaspora.

The show transcended mere entertainment, becoming a poignant celebration and tribute to the resilience strength, and joy inherent in all displaced individuals. The powerful narrative was further enriched by a post-performance Q&A session, allowing the audience to delve deeper into the creative minds of the performers. Crown is a testament to the transformative potential of collaboration between dancers, musicians and a visionary director, creating an unforgettable experience that resonates on multiple levels.

On the way out I heard this: "as someone from a family who were displaced, it helped me find a sense of place."

For more information about Crown visit mariatarokh.com/crown-tour