Monday 7 April 2014

Mr. Ibrahim and the flowers of the Koran by Eric-Emmanuel Schmidt at the Meridional Theatre, Lisbon - The 4th of April 2014



"When I was eleven years old I broke my piggy bank ..." that's how the theatrical piece I have been to started ... and what a life lesson it was ... all the way through, as if I could unexpectedly put myself in the shoes of "Momo", the man on stage narrating his life and directly listen to Mr. Ibrahim's wise words of advice. 







Set in  the sixties in Paris and presented as a reflection of young Moïse's childhood, his initiation with the prostitutes of Rue du Paradis, the strong relationship he developed with an Arab grocer, who in turn became the committed father figure he had never had before, once his present (yet absent) father was too consumed by grief and sadness to pay him the required attention, Mister Ibrahim and the flowers of the Koran goes beyond these subject matters and sets the tone to remind us of the acknowledgement and praise those who have made any difference in our lives should have or be granted in life.

It is also about true friendship, one's choices in life,  one's tolerance in regards to the difference, solitude and unconditional love and affection. It makes one ponder on the real value of things that last  over time and people who will forever be around, regardless of where they are.




The performing act at Meridional Theatre seems to have continued in alignment with the unique theatrical approach, which has been carried out so far - adapting world wide known texts and having them performed by  solo actors with live background music.


Adapted theatrical version - Miguel Seabra
Actor on stage - Miguel Seabra
Musician on stage - Rui Rebelo





I personally feel that irrespective of the on stage performance, the text that has originated this theatrical piece is of a unique and profound beauty and I would risk saying that once thoroughly analysed it may make one further ponder on life. The novel's author is Éric-Emmanuel Schmidt and it was originally publish in the French Language in 2001.



I couldn't resist watching the film adaptation by Francois Dupeyron (the following day) in which Omar Sharif was awarded the César for best actor in 2004 for his portrayal of Mr. Ibrahim.


















The film allowed me to travel back in time, to revisit the Turkey I fell for some years ago and feel the smell of the Bosphorus,  drive along the Turkish inner landscape, get myself immersed into the Sufi Music and loose myself in the Dervish swirling, another unique experience of its own.


"Ce que tu donnes est à toi pour toujours, ce que tu gardes est perdu à jamais." - extract from the film (a Sufi proverb) 





An absolute must, whilst it is still on stage, more precisely till the forthcoming 13th of April.










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