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"An Elegy for D.O.G" Theater Performance Review

Hooman Najafian

Youth Theatre Competition, it’s written by Kimia Kazemi and directed by Pourya Rahimi Sam

Transforming of human to animal has been the plot of so many masterpieces in the world of art, literature and drama. For instance, Metamorphosis by Kafka or Rhinoceros by Ionesco. An Elegy for D.O,G is placed in this group. The main role of the play is called Nejat( survivor) and his actions prepared the way for failure of other characters. A man who is a restaurateur, a pregnant woman,( Nejat’s wife) and the other woman in play are transformed to dog to cooperate with Nejat. But Nejat evolved in this play and changed to human-dog killer. But the play doesn’t mention the reason of this event and only shows final process of killing. The center of play is based on pregnant woman, restaurateur and the other woman. They all become dog. These people can not understand each others language. This verbal attack leads to physical fight and ferocity attack. The play relates this situation to person’s daily behavior. These scenes are dramatically short, sad and painful. The atmosphere is developed in the absence of characters and plot. Therefore, the audience sympathize less and often laugh at characters and their unbelievable behavior. Nejat is always present as a wondering ghost and the audience observes his nervous and meaningless reactions. But the audience doesn’t know the reason. Nejat’s massacre starts. A woman because of her relation, the other because of marriage and one man because of selling the dogs meat which are killed by Nejat are all in hysterical situation. The  characters except the restaurateur who has a typical personality as lumpen don’t have individual characteristic. For example, Nejat is neither character nor stereotype. The audience only sees his passive and hysterical action.

The only character whom remains as human is Nejat. But he is such human that can kill human –dog. His name has ironical concept and can show nihilism or unbelief to salvation. The author knows civilization and urbanity as reasons of barbarization.

Now I write about visual aspect of the play. At the end of stage is a white curtain which has two functions. First, is the light and virginity. The opposite of red color of ground which is the symbol of blood and violence. Second, the curtain is the exhibition of pictures and for video projection. Actors represent a hysterical mentality by using their bodies, dialogue, light in a closed atmosphere. Set design, light and costume design are also done by the director. All the actors except Nejat are wearing a black raincoat which is sometimes combined with a black plastic that are the sign of death. The acting of actors is well- managed except for Nejat whom his presence is often ambiguous.

 




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