MAHMOUD by Tara Grammy and Tom Arthur Davis (Pandemic Theatre/Why Not Theatre/The Riser Project). At the Theatre Centre (1115 Queen West). Runs to May 24. $12-$22. See listing. Rating: NNNN
Even if you saw Tara Grammys excellent Mahmoud at Fringe 2012, I recommend a revisit. The show about the intersecting lives of three hyphenated Canadians has deepened considerably, and Grammys performance is even more nuanced than it was before. It’s that rare show that has humour and heart.
In Toronto, we meet a trio of characters: a chatty taxi driver, whos left Iran, where he worked as an engineer a flamboyantly gay Spaniard who works in the perfume department in a department store and whos dating a closeted Iranian-Canadian and a young Iranian-Canadian student who wants to become blonde and blue-eyed so she can fit in with everyone else. Later, in what appears to be an autobiographical twist, this girl becomes an aspiring actor who keeps confronting stupid casting directors.
Changing her posture, voice and attitude, Grammy delineates each character in quick, sharp strokes. At first these people seem overly broad and stereotypical, especially the perfume guy. But as the hour-long work progresses and their lives intersect, they become more complex and rounded. And the script, by Grammy and director Tom Arthur Davis, touches on lots of issues, like the protests over the 2009 presidential elections in Iran, poverty, violence and intolerance.
The production is spare but effective, with subtle use of lighting, screens and sound.
The ending comes rather abruptly, and not all the stories are resolved in an artful way. But no matter. Grammy has been touring with this show for a while and is now based in L.A. Dont miss this rising star and this terrific vehicle that showcases her wide-ranging talents.
