BEYOND THE MIRROR Comes To the Bond Street Theatre 5/29 - 5/31

Beyond the Mirror began in the Afghan refugee camps in northern Pakistan in 2002.  Members of Bond Street Theatre, performing for children in the refugee schools, met a dauntless group of Afghan actors who dared to present live theatre despite the restrictions of the times. This group was Exile Theatre.

The two companies were immediately drawn to each other's theatrical views, and planned to create a new work together. This plan came to fruition the following year in Kabul and, since that time, has grown into a full length theatre work.  Beyond the Mirror made its world premiere at the 2nd Afghan Theatre Festival in Kabul in August 2005.  Since then, the play has been presented in Japan, Baltimore and New York, and now makes its West Coast premiere at two prestigious San Francisco festivals.

Beyond the Mirror is a journey through three decades of war and occupation in Afghanistan and a search for stability and peace.  Woven through myths and memories, filmed montages and first-hand accounts, traditional dances and live music, story-telling and family histories, Beyond the Mirror weaves an intricate tapestry of events, both desperate and hopeful.

Don't miss the chance to see this unique, rare and moving piece!

San Francisco International Arts Festival -- presenting acclaimed international companies
May 29, 30 and 31 -- Friday & Saturday @ 9:00 pm, Sunday @ 1:00 pm
Cowell Theater -- Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
Tickets at www.sfiaf.org or 1-800-838-3006

Fury Factory Theatre Festival -- presenting cutting edge work by ensemble theatres
June 11, Thursday at 9:00 pm
June 12, Friday at 7:00 pm
June 18, Thursday at 7:00 pm
Traveling Jewish Theatre -- 470 Florida Street, San Francisco
Tickets at jewishtheatre.atjt.com or 415-292-1233

Please check www.bondst.org for video-lecture and workshop schedule and additional performances.

Lectures and workshops are currently available for booking. Contact info@bondst.org.

Beyond the Mirror was created by the Bond Street Theatre and Exile Theatre ensembles. Directed by Mahmoud Shah Salimi and Joanna Sherman. Cast features Anisa Wahab, one of the few women in theatre in Afghanistan, plus Meghan Frank, Michael McGuigan, Najibullah Qiam, Quraishi, Jamil Royesh and Matthew Schmidt.

Lighting design by Jesse Belsky and Jeanne Koenig. Music performed live on the traditional Afghan rubab by Quraishi, with additional music by Andy Teirstein. Video montages created by Mahmoud Shah Salimi, Michael McGuigan and Seth Bloom.

Performances of Beyond the Mirror have been made possible in part by grants from the Ford Foundation and the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Ensemble Theatre Collaborations Grant Program, with additonal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (US Department of State).  Thanks also to our generous donors.

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