Nassim

Dublin Theatre Festival: Nassim – Project Arts Centre, Dublin

Writer: Nassim Soleimanpour

Director: Omar Elerian

Nassim is an unconventional play by an unconventional playwright.

Nassim Soleimanpour is a multi-disciplinary theatre-maker from Iran. He has a history of creating experimental, one-of-a-kind productions and Nassim is no different. As the title suggests this is a personal and vulnerable piece of work from the playwright. Each night a different actor takes to the stage. They have not seen a script and do not know what to expect. There is a microphone and a large red X on the stage. To the left, there is also a small desk with a box on top of it. It is from this that 70 minutes of theatre unfolds.

On Tuesday night actor Nyree Yergainharsian stepped up to the challenge and volunteered to be the one in the spotlight. Her performance was brave and well done, despite the fact that she had not been able to prepare. The staff at the Project Arts also helped out along the way to facilitate a smooth performance experience.

The name ‘Nassim’ means breeze, and like his name Nassim’s story breezes through the Project Arts Centre, touching everyone who encounters it. It is impossible to capture and hold onto and yet every person in the theatre knows they have been touched by it. Nassim is humorous and entertaining. The ending ties everything together in a neat bow and the twist is surprisingly sweet and tender.

Nassim was a lovely production and truly unique; however is perhaps another example of a production that should have been a part of the recent Dublin Fringe Festival rather than the Theatre Festival. At present, it can be difficult to see what marks the Theatre Festival out as distinct and unique.

Image: Contributed