Sharing Tales of Magic, Music and Wonder

(9/25/2010)

Celebrating the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival theme of "Harmony in Diversity," Theatre firefly will present a physical theatre performance "The Conference of the Birds" - based on a 12th century Sufi poem by Farid Ud Din Attar. The story relates a tale of a group of diverse birds on a quest for Oneness.

One of the most famous and quoted sections from "The Conference of the Birds" depicts the unity the flock of fellow flyers eventually achieve:

Come you lost atoms to your centre draw

and be the eternal mirror that you saw

Rays that have wondered into darkness wide

return and into your sun subside

The actors will bring this timeless classic to life with music, singing, dancing and storytelling that blends Sufi traditional forms with contemporary styles in the majestic setting of the Purnama Open Theatre of the Maya Ubud Resort & Spa.



The multi-cultural, inter-generational fireFLY ensemble slated to appear in this vibrant adaptation include Atta Melvin, Raditya Santosa, Oded Carmi, Virginia Hicks, Yuanita Ramadhani and Lindsey Wise. The cast will be led by Sage Alia Kimball playing the Hoopoe who, with the spiritual ardor resembling that of Joan of Arc, incites the birds to brave the arduous journey in search of their souls.

Live instrumentation by Anello Capuano features North African, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Indian music. Choreography is by Eilat Tovi and direction by Rehane Abrahams.

With live instrumentation, storytelling, singing and dancing, this theatrical odyssey brings to the stage a well loved classic of Islamic literature and promises to be a rare treat for the soul.

The "Conference of the Birds" will be held every evening during the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival October 6-10, 2010 at the Purnama Open Theatre, Maya Ubud Resort & Spa at 7 pm, except on Thursday, October 7th when there will be a special performance for Schools via a matinee at 11 am.

Ticket Prices:

Guests to the UWRF Festival: Rp 250,000 (US$28)

Kitas Holders: Rp150,000 (US$17)

Students: Rp 75,000 (US$8.50)

Indonesian Nationals: Rp 50,000 (US$5.50)

*An additional 15% discount to festival pass holders and 10 % discount available on block bookings

Bookings and additional information at [Theatre Firefly Website]