Jana and Baladoor

Jana and Baladoor: A Play in Shadows by Bahram Beyzaie

In a panorama as majestic as life itself, Iran's foremost playwright and director Bahram Beyzaie brings to the stage a magical combination of poetry and puppets, music and myth. In this ground-breaking performance of Jana and Baladoor, Professor Beyzaie recounts the drama of a world dominated by dark demons, and the heroic battles of four mythic siblings—representing the four elements of air, water, earth and fire—and their battles to redeem and re-enchant the world. Acclaimed Iranian artists Mojdeh Shamsaie and Mohsen Namjoo recite the story, accompanied by music; shadow figures bring the narrative to life. 

Since at least the 6th century (12th century AD), the growth and development of shadow plays as an art form has come to a halt with religious zeal and prejudice deeming it heretical, causing it to fade into nigh obscurity. Jana and Baladoor was a historic revival of an old tradition.

The play is in Persian with English supertitles.