THE PERFUMED GARDEN Plays the Forge, 7/16-8/14

The author of 2008's highly successful BAGHDAD, BABY! visits a world of desire and danger in THE PERFUMED GARDEN, exploring romance, humour and memory amid the history of a land that has endured innumerable invasions.

"Forty years ago I did what the Prime Minister did this year," says playwright Dean Parker, "I went to Afghanistan. But whereas John Key went there in an air force transporter from Auckland and wore a flak jacket, I took a hippie Magic Bus from London and wore an Afghan jacket that I bought in Herat."

Parker "fell in love" with the country and, in THE PERFUMED GARDEN, creates an epic story that moves from the time of the Garden of Eden through several occupations of Afghani soil, culminating in the modern occupation by peacekeeping forces including New Zealand troops. The play draws its title from The Perfumed Garden of Sensual Delight, an erotic Arabic text written in the fifteenth century.

Director Lara Macgregor believes that THE PERFUMED GARDEN has a unique theatricality that imbues history with humanity. "The cast portray multiple characters as the play moves through time," adds Macgregor, "so each story contains echoes of the last - with Dean's unique sense of humour peppered throughout."

The ensemble cast (Kathleen Burns, Mel Dodge, Matt Hudson, James Kupa and Jackson Karaitiana Smallman-Noble) regard the play as a powerful work. "The more I learn about the back-story and history of Afghanistan, the more important I feel this play is," says Burns.

The set (designed by Julian Southgate) peels back the layers - literally and figuratively - on the ancient landscape of Afghanistan as it moves through the ages. Similarly, the costumes (by Emily Thomas) allow for quick changes as actors transform from Alexander the Great, to Victorian gentry, to 1970s political activists.

Powerful, political and provocative, the world premiere season of THE PERFUMED GARDEN transports audiences to a world of beauty and wonder; asking the question "why are we fighting there, rather than gazing about it in astonishment?"

THE PERFUMED GARDEN by Dean Parker is directed by Lara Macgregor and stars Kathleen Burns, Mel Dodge, Matt Hudson, James Kupa, and Jackson Karaitiana Smallman-Noble. It plays at The Forge at The Court Theatre, 20 Worcester Blvd, The Arts Centre, Christchurch, NZ. Performance Dates: Friday 16 July - Saturday 14 August 2010. Performance Times: 6:30pm Monday & Thursday; 8pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (no show Sundays). Tickets: Adults $32, Seniors $27, Tertiary Students $22, Group discount (10+) $22, 30Under-Club $15 (Mon-Wed). Bookings: The Court Theatre, 20 Worcester Boulevard; 963 0870 or www.courttheatre.org.nz.

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