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DUAL دوگانه from London/Esfahan to EDINBURGH!
London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Aim
Dual دوگانه is an Anglo-Iranian darkly comic, award-winning show about passports and protest that needs your help to get to the Fringe.
>> KEEP IT FRINGE FUND 2023 recipient
>> Top Pick by Natasha Tripney for The Stage
>>Pleasance Generate Fund Shortlist
>> Vault Festival 2020 Show of the Week award
Edinburgh Festival Fringe - 17th - 28th August, 14:55 (60mins) Pleasance 10 Dome
DUAL دوگانه
(Prounouced "Dual do-ga-neh")
‘Joy and terror and mess and fun.’ - Audience member
One woman, two passports, two names: Peyvand is British, Parisa, Iranian. As a child Peyvand visits Iran with her father. They're held by the Iranian government, unable to return to the UK. Peyvand and Parisa fracture and multiply to an Anglo-Persian pop soundtrack, asking how they can be advocates for themselves and allies to each other. An award-winning autobiographical solo show on the precariousness of being a British-Iranian national, the value of passports and how to “do” a revolution.
This work has been developed by a team of multi-nationals including members of the Iranian diaspora who have chosen to remain anonymous for fear of political repercussions.
Born in Britain but not born British, I am the child of a refugee who left Iran during the revolution of 1979. British citizenship laws mean I inherited this status. After eventually naturalising as British, we visited Iran for the first time. However, Iran claimed me as theirs. New passport, new name (Peyvand is not on the list of approved names - don’t ask). Here we introduce Parisa. Things happen. We eventually make it back to London , and those are all the essential facts.
Since its first iteration at Vault Festival 2020, a lot has happened in the world. The diminishing democratic rights in the UK and the ongoing Woman Life Freedom movement in Iran have brought the politics of the piece into sharp focus. Now the question isn’t just what would Parisa be doing there - but what should I, Peyvand, be doing here?
Dual دوگانه is an audacious and heartfelt production on the intricacies of straddling divergent nation-states, and pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. Blending dynamic video projections, haunting music, puppetry, drag and interactive elements to create a mesmerising and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
(Photo by Shahram Saadat for FACE magazine)
Creator & Performer, Peyvand Sadeghian
Whilst DUAL دوگانه is a solo show, you'll often hear me say it is not a solo effort. Whilst the starting point is autobiographical, what is presented on stage is THEATRE, and the collaborative effort from a raucous team of artist's resonances on the subject of nationality, change-making and solidarity.
Since 2020 the project has been redeveloped, and dreams have been made about the different ways in which the energy from a communal theatrical event, can be taken beyond the stage. In addition to performances, we are planning to pilot a workshop programme and self published zine featuring content from the show, workshop participants and Iranian diaspora and UK based "artivists".
Why go to the trouble of taking it to the Fringe??
By presenting the work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the hope is to get the ball rolling towards future plans , and encourage some grassroots activities along the way. But it comes at a cost, and we're only doing a limited 2 week run because I'm not even allowed a Klarna account let alone a bank loan. It's a punt, and I'm just some East-End bovver-girl with ideas above my station really hoping this is worth the risk.
Social mobility has steadily been on the decline for decades, and this is reflected by the dismal stats on those from lower socio-economic backgrounds making up a largely freelance workforce in the arts. Supporting this project will help relieve the financial strain , allowing us to focus on making the work the best it can be, providing an essential stepping stone towards a viable career. I'm incredibly stubborn and will do almost anything to not admit to my parents that I should have become an engineer/doctor/dentist/anything-but-a-bloody-actor.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We are fortunate enough to have some support from our top-notch programming partners Pleasance, Camden People's Theatre, HOME and be one of the 7% of successful applicants of the Keep it Fringe fund. But being at the Fringe still comes with significant financial risk, and upfront costs. There's no getting around the fact that cold hard cash will help pay for the people and things needed to make this happen.
Our aim is to create an exceptional studio show that embodies our team's values and leaves a lasting impact on the audience. By donating, you play an essential role in helping us achieve our project's ambitions. The Fringe provides a valuable opportunity to build upon the future potential of this project, and your donation is an integral part of making this a reality.
Beyond the theatre, your support enables us to fuel conversations around grassroots participation and raise awareness about the ongoing struggles of the people in Iran within the UK public consciousness. We also have some perks to offer with your donation as a show of our appreciation!
How else can you help?
- Are you a company or an generous soul that can offer : design materials/ tech equipment/connections/anything else you think you can offer? We're all ears and would love to hear from you.
- Come and see the show. Maybe even bring a comrade who wouldn't normally go to the theatre, but would be interested in this show.
- Subscribe to our Linktr.ee where we'll be adding updates and related resources
- Spread the word, follow us on socials. Not just for the show, but we'll also be using this as an opportunity to shout about the Iranian diaspora, and other brilliant grassroots activities and artivists!
Company Information
- Created and Performed by Peyvand Sadeghian
- Producer Libby Liburd
- Directed by Nastazja Domaradzka
- Associate Director Ria Samartzi
- Set and Costume Designer Isabella Van Braeckel
- Lighting and Video Designer Al Orange
- Composer and Sound Designer Roshi Nasehi
- Additional unnamed collaborators
- Twitter: @DUALshow_
- Instagram: @Dual_show
- https://linktr.ee/dualshow for regularly updated info & resources relating to the show
This project successfully funded on 15th August 2023