‘White White Black Stork’ offers new take on ‘Romeo and Juliet’ story

Photos courtesy of ACT

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE. (Above) Nigora Karimbaeva plays Makhichehra, a young girl who wants to marry her true love, in “White White Black Stork,” part of A Contemporary Theatre’s tribute to the Ilkhom Theatre, the first theatre company in the former Soviet Union not dependent on government aid. Actors swing from a lone tree (left) that makes up part of the sparse set. “White White Black Stork” runs through April 6.

A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) of Seattle presents “White White Black Stork” through April 6, followed by “Ecstasy with the Pomegranate” April 9-13. These are productions of the Ilkhom Theatre of Mark Weil. Weil founded the company and was its artistic director until his murder in 2007. The company’s vision “focuses on artistic excellence and social vision.” This is the first theatre company in the former USSR that is not dependent on government aid. ACT is hosting this play, which will be presented in Uzbeki and Russian with supertitles for translation.

“White White Black Stork” is a retelling of the Romeo and Juliet story, with a twist. The beautiful production is set in the early 20th century in Tashkent, the capitol of Uzbekistan.

The scene opens on a very unusual set by Shukrat Abdumalikov of a tree of ropey twisted boughs wound together to form the trunk and placed in the middle of the floor. It has branches at the top that twist away although the top is virtually flat. Hanging from two of the branches are swings that the young boys grab hold of and swing around the swiveling tree. On the corners of the stage hang a birdcage and three gourds/urns. The rest of the set consists of four blankets folded and placed at the four corners.

It’s the story of Makhzum (Said Khudaibergenov) who has been born to his parents after a 20-year wait for a child. His father Ahund (Boris Gafurov) is a respected teacher at the local Islamic school where Makhzum is a student. The boy has turned 16 and is a good student and poetic, although he doesn’t seem to have any friends.

He makes friends with another student, Karim (Aziz Rametov), outside of their school and they enjoy playing and running around. It seems that Makhzum is developing a crush on Karim, which is discovered by Ahund, who is horrified. He decides the boy must be married immediately to remove him from further temptation.

Meanwhile a young girl, Makhichehra (Nigora Karimbaeva), is running around town engaging in nontraditional immodest activities – looking directly at young men, especially a cloth seller (Farukh Khaldjigitov). They seem to be falling in love.

The problems arise because Makhzum will not be allowed to fall in love with another boy and Makhichehra will not be allowed to marry her true love.

Ahund arranges a meeting with Makhichehra’s father, Said (Seydulla Moldakhanov), to discuss a betrothal between their children. Said breaks tradition when he demands to discuss the bride price before talking about the wedding costs. This upsets Ahund, who just wants to get his boy removed from temptation. Ahund finally meets Said’s demands, just to get his son married. The kids’ feelings are disregarded to maintain the families’ place in the society

What I found interesting was the ways the mothers of the couple responded. Said’s wife, Ulmas-bibi (Adolat Kimsanova), accuses him of selling their daughter without regard to her happiness. Makhzum’s mother, Aisa (Zebo Yuldasheva), is upset because Ahund is demanding complete obedience to his decisions without regard to Makhzum’s wishes.

This was a fascinating look at the poetical and mercenary lives of people in a culture that has merged Russian and Uzbekistani sensibilities. I had no difficulty following the story with the supertitles, either.

“White White Black Stork” runs through April 6. For information or tickets, call ACT at (206) 292-7676.

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