The Poetry of Dummies

The Poetry of Dummies is an experimental performance based on an old rain-making tradition found in some rural communities in Iran.

In this tradition, when the rainy season approaches and the rain has not yet come, people gather and perform rituals and dances intended to call for rain. The performance draws on this ritual practice and places a group of people within a theatrical world shaped by Persian culture, collective memory and the anticipation of rain.

Beginning with the image of a community waiting for rain, The Poetry of Dummies develops an experimental performance language through movement, ritual, music and the transformation of traditional forms.

Credits

Written and Directed by: Mehdi Mashhour

Cast: Somaye Shoghi, Hejar Nourani, Samira Hasanpour, Pouria Asadi, Mona Shamsodini, Zeynab Asnaghi, Mohamali Zamani

International Presentations

The Poetry of Dummies marked Iran Saye Theatre’s first international presentation.

The production began its international journey in 2008 with an invitation to High Fest International Theatre Festival in Yerevan, Armenia. In 2009, it was presented at Koufar International Student Theatre Festival in Minsk, Belarus.

International Journey

The Poetry of Dummies was the first production by Iran Saye Theatre to be presented internationally. Its participation in High Fest in Armenia in 2008 marked the beginning of the group’s international activity and was followed by a presentation in Belarus in 2009.

The production is an early example of the group’s interest in working with traditional cultural materials while approaching them through an experimental theatrical language.