The Kingfisher's
Wing,
the story of
Badi
Written by Bill George
"After the Kingfisher's Wing has answered light with light, and all is silence, the light is still at the still point of the turning world....at the still point, there the dance is." --T.S. Eliot
"The Kingfisher's Wing" is
based on the true story of the martyrdom of the youth, Aqa Buzurg, of the town
Nishapur in Persia (present day Iran), in the mid-1860's. His father, the
elderly Haji Abdu'l Majid--aged sixty at Aqa Buzurg's birth--is a devout Baha'i,
follower of this new and violently persecuted Faith proclaimed by the Prophet,
Baha'u'llah, whereas Aqa Buzurg holds to the family's Islamic traditions. The
father and son suffer the "usual" intergenerational problems, but slightly more
exaggerated and in certain instances reversed, as it is the older who has
embraced The New, the younger who is still grappling with the frustrations of
The Old. The Youth is eventually converted to his father's beliefs, travels to
meet Baha'u'llah, and is so passionately inflamed with love for this charismatic
Figure he takes on the dangerous task of delivering a letter to the corrupt and
all powerful King, Nasiri'd Din Shah. Aqa Buzurg, now called Badi, the
Wonderful, by Baha'u'llah, travels the sixteen hundred miles on foot to deliver
His Lord's letter in order to put an end to the persecutions of this new Faith.
In the end he is himself tortured and killed.
Letter from Dr.
David Ruhe:
2 February 1995
To those who may have concern:
It would be
my strong hope that Mr. George might perpetuate this labor of love and talent
for the remainder of the century and into the next millennium. May it be seen,
nay experienced in many corners of the country, Canada too, Europe hopefully,
until Bill and his understudies weary of the repetitions. Thus, it is important
that his company should receive the meager wherewithal needed to stimulate and
educate audiences near and far, and to encourage the artist to a lifetime of
endeavors.
May you all have
the tear-evoking experience of the play, and the spiritually impelling effect
which it has generated in me and many others. May all who, in whatever audience
they sit, find the eighty minutes too short, but powerful in its grip upon the
heartstrings, in its surprises and uniqueness.
Here's to more and greater
dramatic productions!
David S. Ruhe, M.D.
Movement Theatre Quarterly
Throughout,
the action is simply narrated and dramatized with George offering a prayer at
the beginning and end of the work to underline its spiritual message--a need for
courage and perseverance to live by the truths in which we believe. This
religious aspect of the piece gives it a strong basis from which to develop the
dramatic conflict: the hardship we all endure in struggling to uphold our
values.
All in all,
the work is a rich offering, both visually and spiritually. It captivates us
through the interaction of puppets, lighting effects, and physicalization
combined with storytelling. George's dramatization of the young Persian martyr's
moral courage compels us to reflect on the power of faithand inspires us to
pursue our goals. This is more than a vibrant performance; it is a
faith-renewing experience in times that are technologically advanced but
spiritually barren.
Single
performances: $1,500.
Accompanying
workshops in the actor as creator, pantomime, voice, and acting are available.
Significant discounts for multiple bookings or residencies.
For booking information please contact:
Margot Laberge Hall,
92 S. Penn Dixie Rd.,
Nazareth, PA 18064
Email: kfo@fast.net ; Phone: 610-837-2741
Kingfisher Theatre Touring Foreigner The Kingfisher's Wing Walden Munirih Khanum