Broken Wing: Fringe Review

2/5

The premise of this new play from Leila Ghaznavi has the potential to make it a striking piece of theatre that examines the disaster that can arise from cultural differences despite one’s best intentions, however, unfortunately it fails on a number of accounts.

Set in rural Iran, a young photographer from National Geographic is staying with a friend of his step-father whilst trying to capture the Damascus rose harvests. Problems arise when he falls for his host’s wife causing all manner of misappropriation and cultural misunderstanding.

Moments of the play shine with brilliance as extended scenes of conversations inhibited by language barriers are wrought with passion and sensuality, yet as a collective whole the piece doesn’t manage to hold together. The actions of the play don’t appear to make sense whilst some of the events remain ambiguous to the viewer well after the curtain is drawn.

Its use of Iranian mythology as metaphors for the lives of its leading characters is a nice touch but again, one that appears difficult to justify. Perhaps if the play had concentrated purely on the relationships between the characters, their development and change, this would have made it a superb performance, but instead, it remains confused and disconnected – a shame given its potential.

5^th – 20^th Aug 2011 (not 8^th, 15^th, 16^th ), Venue 13, 11.45am, £8(£5)

Taken from Informed Edinburgh, published online Aug 2011.