INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN-- Childrens musical play The Papertown Paperchase by English author David Wood went on phase at Tehrans Honar Hall on
Sunday.Mohammadreza Shahmardi is the director of the play which is being performed by a group of actors and puppeteers, consisting of
Fatemeh Khoshsokhan, Majid Zand, Ali Abedi and Gandom Lotfi
Hossein Fadai-Hossein is the translator of the play initially published in 1976
In this play, the Salamander, a sort of dragon, remains in difficulty with the Fire Flies, because he is unable to create a fire by
breathing on a stack of sticks.To redeem himself he is sent on an objective to burn down Papertown.The paper occupants, consisting of the
Papertown Crier (a paper), the Postman (an envelope), Professor Paperback (a book who runs the bookshop), Mr
Quid (a pound note who is the Bank Manager) and Lady Carrier Bag-- collect their resources to satisfy the danger
Spike the Pen (the litter collector), Fireman Silver, and even the saucy Litterbug end up being involved, and the two petty wrongdoers,
Blotch and Carbon, are released to sign up with the forces.In the end, Salamander, who has actually succumbed to shy little Tishoo, joins
the paper people in preventing the Fire Flies, and Papertown is conserved from destruction.The play was first produced by the Worcester
Repertory Company at the Swan Theatre, Worcester for Christmas 1972
Numerous amateur productions and a puppet variation have followed
In a reworded version, Whirligig Theatre presented the play at Sadlers Wells Theatre, London, and went on tour in 1984
Wood composes, I had constantly felt that the original variation was too long, and welcomed the chance to reword the play and direct it for
the Whirligig Theatre production
It proved to be an amazing success, with riotous audience participation
Photo: A poster for the kidss play The Papertown Paperchase by David Wood.MMS/ YAW
