IMPORTANT THEATRE NEWS
Shahin Shafaei's REFUGITIVE set for week at The Cellar prior to National
Tour
Iranian refugee Shahin Shafaei's acclaimed one man show Refugitive,
about the 22 months he spent incarcerated in the Curtin Detention Centre
(much of it in isolation) in Western Australia, will play for one week
only at The Cellar at Sydney University this week (August 25 to 30)
prior to embarking on a national tour.
Shahin's play has become even more topical in the last few days with the
threatened forced deportation of Iranian refugees from the Baxter
Detention Centre in South Australia, many of whom are Shahin's friends.
Refugitive will play at 1pm to 8pm each day (Tuesday 8pm only) and
tickets are only $10/$5 concession and can be booked by ringing 9568 1624.
An acclaimed actor and playwright in Iran, 29 year old Shahin was forced
to flee the country after a play he wrote was deemed anti-government.
The director of the play is still held in prison in Iran today.
Shahin's journey took him to Australia via Malaysia and Indonesia where
the boat he was travelling on was intercepted at Ashmore Reef. From here
he was taken to the infamous Curtin Detention Centre near Port Hedland
in Western Australia where a new struggle for survival began.
After his release from Curtin Shahin was granted a Temporary Protection
Visa (TPV) which only allows him to stay in Australia for 3 years.
Shahin's TPV runs out in early 2005. On his release Shahin had one goal
- "to tell my story to the people of Australia."
Despite his harsh treatment at the hands of ACM Guards and DIMIA
Managers inside Curtin, and typical of this humble and genial young man,
Shahin still has faith in the people of this country.
"I still believe deep down that most Australians are good and fair" he
said recently, "and if they only knew what was happening to people
inside these Centres they would do whatever they could to stop it. This
is why I want to tell my story wherever I can."
What has surprised many of the delighted audiences who have experienced
Refugitive is the absence of bitterness and anger in Shahin's moving and
profound 50-minute work.
In the end Shahin tells a universal story of one man's struggle to
survive against increasingly impossible odds. It could be set in many
countries in the world but it is set in Australia.
The play also uses the ancient weapon of comedy to disarm audiences as
Refugitive contains many surprising moments of humour as Shahin uses his
considerable skills as a trained physical performer to bring "Homer
Simpson-esque" ACM Guards, dithering DIMIA officials and his fellow
detainees to life.
Refugitive succeeds first as a piece of theatre =AD then as an urgent
and vital call to action.
The policy of Mandatory Detention in Australia has split the nation,
divided families and filled hours upon hours of media space. Now is the
time for you to make up your own mind and discover the truth of what
goes on behind the razor wire.
After sold out shows in Sydney at The Old Fitzroy Hotel, the New Mercury
Theatre (one of Sydney's leading independent theatre companies) will
tour Refugitive to the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, northern NSW, the Bega
Valley, Armidale, Barraba and the Melbourne Fringe Festival between
August and November.
Prior to beginning the tour the Sydney University Dramatic Society have
offered him this "Wildcard" slot at The Cellar. Don't miss the chance to
experience Refugitive.
For more information please contact: Alex Broun on 0408 268 043
Event Info:
What: Refugitive - Shahin Shafaei's one man show
Where: The Cellar, Holme Building, Science Road, Sydney University
When: Monday August 25th to Saturday August 30th 1pm & 8pm (Tues 8pm only)
Price: $10/$5 concession
Bookings: 9568 1624
Would you like Refugitive to come to your area ?
If you are interested in hosting your own performance of Refugitive
please contact the Artistic Director of the New Mercury Theatre, Alex
Broun, on 0408 268 043 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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