WESTLOCK – The Westlock Cultural Arts Theatre Society (CATS) will stray from its usual musical contributions to the community with a dramatic dance production of The Prisoner of Tehran slated for Feb. 12.
The show tells the story of 16-year-old Marina Nemat who was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1965 before moving to Canada in 1991. Her time in Iran saw her live through the 1979 revolution where she spent two years in a prison camp and suffered abuse.
“This show is a little different in nature than some of our other shows,” said Marilee Jespersen with CATS. “It’ll be very thought-provoking. While a lot of our other shows totally lean on the side of light fun and entertainment, and while this will be enjoyable, it’ll really make us think.”
Motus O Dance Theatre will present Nemat’s tale of what is described as “terrifying conditions, horrific tortures and clinging desperately to a single threat of hope” through dance, video and narrative meshed into one performance.
Jespersen, who has travelled across the world and has grown to appreciate Canada, advises those who want to appreciate their freedom to attend the show and listen to the story.
“It makes me proud of where we live. We have a great country here and I think that’s what this show is going to do, it’s going to make us think about the freedoms we have in our country,” said Jespersen. “I think its beneficial for everybody to see a show like this. We can get pretty comfortable in our country. We live in such a good country, we’re just so fortunate to be where we are.”
While the show will tackle some topics not suitable for children, Jespersen says it is a great opportunity to see and understand the struggles of those less fortunate. The show is also something that Jespersen says rarely comes to Westlock and is one that the public should take advantage of, as most shows held at the theatre are musical performances.
“We would like to see people who are book lovers attend, I think it’ll also be really beneficial for teachers to see it,” she said. “Come in with an open mind. We hope to see people who are open to expose themselves to what is going on in this world.”
The Prisoner of Tehran is not part of the CATS performance series and tickets must be purchased separately. The performance series will continue with self-described “modern bowtie rock” artist Von Bieker with David “The Spaniard” Jay joining him on the stage Feb. 18.
