Perfidia

Deceived by Trust

March 14 – March 18

LEAR: So young, and so untender?
CORDELIA: So young, my lord, and true.






Using larger-than-life sized head puppets, this strikingly new work devised by Iranian-born multi-media artist, Elnaz Sheshgelani, appropriates the central narrative of Shakespeare’s, King Lear, to delve into the complexities and ramifications of love and trust.

The work responds with much sense of liberation to the larger Courthouse space, inviting additional layers and opening out the earlier concept presented at La Mama during the EXPLORATIONS Season in 2011. This includes the performers “stepping in and out” of time zones past and present.

As depicted in the Lear tragedy, Perfidia dares to challenge love’s motives and explores the way in which they are not always what we like to imagine. Deceived by trust, Perfidia holds sway as the common denominator of the oft hidden or ignored catalyst when love – whatever that can mean – comes into play. Perfidia is “salt and peppered” with humour in the form of irony and self-deprecation, with a brief yet powerful reminder of the havoc that love can incite.

Find out more about Elnaz Sheshgelani here

Devised and performed by Elnaz Sheshgelani with Brian Lowe
Directed by Lloyd Jones
Lighting Design by Rebecca Etchell
Stage Manager/Technician: Eden Fordham

Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu – Sat 7.30pm | Matinee Sun 4pm
Running time: 50 minutes
La Mama Courthouse