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I was approached by Blacktown Arts Centre to direct a theatre piece loosely based on the ancient Persian tale of Leyli & Majnun. The story is magical; about a pure love between the beautiful Leyli and the poet Qays, renamed Majnun. This mutual passion is never consummated, as Leyli’s parents forbid any such union, imprisoning their daughter, whilst Majnun spends his life wandering the desert composing and reciting love poems dedicated to her. They never meet again yet they never give up on their love for each other. It is a classic story that has spread from Persia over the centuries to become well known throughout the East and in much of Europe too. Eric Clapton composed Layla, based on this tale, about his love for Patti Boyd, then George Harrison’s wife.

We had four performers: Silvia Entcheva mezzo (Bulgarian; from Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares choir)); Susie Bishop - (Anglo-Australian; soprano and violin); Nguc Tuan Haoung - (Vietnamese; guitar); Shohrat Tursun - (Uyghur; voice and Dutar - a 2-stringed lute) .

However, we decided on a different take on the story. We began with two strangers, who have never met, who simultaneously dream of each other. Upon awakening and devotedly in love with the subject in their dreams, they spend their lives searching for the real person; who, of course, they never meet. 

To tell the story we used existing songs and music from the backgrounds of the four performers, which meant an amazing array of music. The story was told and sung multilingually to a very diverse audience who could each understand enough to get the idea.

Leyli & Majnun was designed by Joanne Saad, lighting by Amber Silk.