Just let the wind untie my perfumed hair… is a cross-artform theatre work written by Delia Olam and Hera Whinfield which tells the story of Tahíríh, a 19th Century muslim scholar who was executed for unveiling her face. This is a one-woman show focussing on Tahíríh’s legacy and influence. The show has hints of an engaging narrative but the final product is over-bearing, lacks nuance and there isn’t space for the audience to form opinion.
Seeing this performance I was expecting an educational and uplifting experience, but it turned out to be a tedious 110 minutes of monologue and somewhat improvised live cello. As a performer Olam is ambitious: she attempts many things and as a result is unfortunately spread too thin. She is dedicated to the work which is necessary for such a long show, but Olam’s passion for her subject prevents any realistic examination of Tahíríh and needs to be reigned in. Olam brings an intense sincerity to the various characters she portrays, but they blur together because the characterisation is so one-note. One reprieve is that the multi-artform work doesn’t always demand the audience’s understanding and encourages an experiential appreciation.
The set design and costume is minimalist and manageable for a single performer, however that makes it difficult for the audience to distinguish between the different characters and timelines. The depiction of Tahíríh’s execution is unnecessarily graphic. Olam continues to beseech the audience when they are already won over and after the first hour the crowd became bored and resentful of the performance.
This show is exhausting. Mercifully the music was beautiful and defused some of the dramatic plot’s intensity. The Baha’i Centre of Learning is a wonderful venue and for those interested can offer more information about Tahíríh and the Baha’i faith. With more rehearsal and a shorter running time Just let the wind untie my perfumed hair… could be a worthwhile performance but in its current form, it cannot be recommended.
